AMF Proxy Identifier Mapping for Shared RAN Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, sharing a radio access network (RAN) between different network operators is challenging when one operator lacks local access and mobility management functions (AMFs), leading to increased latency and signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-transparent proxy function at the AMF proxy to manage communications between RANs and multiple AMFs, allowing the RAN to connect directly to the proxy, which performs identifier manipulation to route messages efficiently to the correct AMF, reducing the need for local AMFs at the second network operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a RAN is shared between multiple network operators without local AMFs at each operator's side, then device complexity and infrastructure cost are reduced, but communication latency and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an AMF proxy as an intermediary component that mediates between the RAN and multiple remote AMFs. The AMF proxy receives messages from the RAN, performs identifier manipulation to determine the target AMF, and forwards messages to the appropriate remote AMF. This intermediary approach allows RAN sharing between multiple operators without requiring local AMFs at each operator's premises, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining efficient message routing to minimize latency.
2Reliability
If the RAN connects directly to multiple remote AMFs, then communication paths are established, but the number of connections and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF proxy serves as a centralized intermediary that consolidates connections between the RAN and multiple remote AMFs. Instead of the RAN maintaining separate direct connections to each remote AMF, all communications are routed through the single AMF proxy. The proxy performs identifier manipulation on received messages to determine the appropriate target AMF and forwards messages accordingly. This approach maintains reliable communication paths while significantly reducing connection management complexity at the RAN side.
3Productivity
If local AMFs are deployed at each network operator's RAN, then communication efficiency is improved, but infrastructure cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AMF proxy provides universal functionality by serving multiple network operators through a single deployment. It performs identifier manipulation to route messages to the appropriate remote AMF based on the operator identifier contained in the message. This multi-functional approach allows a single AMF proxy to handle communications for multiple operators, achieving communication efficiency comparable to having local AMFs at each operator while avoiding the complexity and cost of deploying separate local AMFs at each RAN location.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. An access and mobility management function (AMF) proxy may establish communication links with a RAN and a first AMF of a first network operator, and with a second AMF of a second network operator. The AMF proxy may receive a first message from the RAN, the first AMF, or the second AMF, the message indicating a manipulated or unmanipulated AMF user equipment (UE) identifier (ID) and a manipulated or unmanipulated RAN UE ID. The AMF proxy may perform ID manipulation the UE IDs in the first message based on a first mapping between the manipulated and unmanipulated AMF UE ID and a second mapping between the manipulated and unmanipulated RAN UE ID. The AMF proxy may transmit a second message to the first AMF, the second AMF, or the RAN based on the AMF UE ID or the RAN UE ID.