AMF LADN Availability Determination for 5G UE Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently managing local area data network (LADN) connectivity, including determining available LADNs, establishing PDU sessions, and handling changes in user equipment (UE) location, which affects service quality and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces methods for an access and mobility management function (AMF) to determine available LADNs based on UE subscriptions, send location information to UEs, and manage PDU sessions by notifying a session management function (SMF) when a UE moves out of an LADN's area of availability, allowing for session adjustments such as suspension or release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system provides comprehensive LADN availability information to UEs, then service quality and connectivity reliability are improved, but network signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary determination of LADN availability information based on UE subscription data before the UE actually needs to access the LADN. The AMF proactively identifies which LADNs are available to each UE and sends this information in advance during mobility management procedures, so that when the UE needs to connect, the connectivity can be established immediately without additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables UEs to self-determine their own LADN availability by providing them with the necessary subscription information and availability criteria. The UE can autonomously assess whether it is within an LADN service area and initiate appropriate PDU session establishment or release actions without requiring continuous network intervention, thereby reducing network processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the system continuously monitors UE location for LADN availability, then service quality is maintained, but network energy consumption and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system implements periodic location checks triggered by specific events such as UE mobility management procedures, handovers, or periodic registration updates. The AMF determines LADN availability information at these discrete intervals based on the UE's current location and service area information, maintaining service quality while significantly reducing the energy consumption and processing load associated with continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the UE reports its location information to the network at defined intervals or upon entering/exiting service areas, and the network responds by updating LADN availability information only when changes are detected. This event-driven feedback approach ensures service quality is maintained through timely updates while avoiding the energy waste of continuous monitoring when no changes occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If PDU sessions are maintained when UE moves out of LADN area, then connectivity continuity is improved, but network resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity continuityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts PDU session states based on real-time LADN availability information. When the UE moves into or out of LADN service areas, the network automatically modifies the PDU session configuration - establishing sessions when LADN becomes available and releasing or suspending them when LADN is no longer available. This dynamic adaptation ensures connectivity continuity is maintained only when appropriate, optimizing resource allocation efficiency by releasing resources when LADN services are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system sends detailed LADN information to UEs, then UE can make informed connection decisions, but signaling overhead and information transmission complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE connection decision capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and sends only the essential LADN availability information that UEs need to make connection decisions, rather than transmitting complete detailed configurations. The AMF identifies and communicates key parameters such as LADN identifiers, service area information, and availability status, omitting redundant or non-essential details. This extraction approach enables UEs to make informed connection decisions while minimizing signaling overhead and information transmission complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3603314B1Local area data network connectivity
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3603314B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603314B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603314B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus relating to local area data network connectivity. In certain aspects, a method for use by a network device includes determining a set of available local area data networks (LADNs) for a user equipment (UE) based on a subscription of the UE to a set of data network names (DNNs) corresponding to the set of available LADNs and sending the UE information indicative of the set of available LADNs and a location of availability corresponding to each of the LADNs of the set of available LADNs.