Application Layer Gateway for CAMEL Roaming Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face challenges in supporting Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) services for outbound roamers when either the home network or visited networks do not support the CAMEL protocol or have an agreement, leading to delays and friction in international roaming.
Innovation Solution
A client-server architecture that enables exchange of encapsulated Intelligent Network (IN) messages between a client on the outbound roamer's mobile device and a gateway in the home network, facilitating communication with the home network's service nodes or Signaling Control Points, even without CAMEL protocol support or agreements, by translating messages into compatible protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CAMEL protocol is used for outbound roaming services, then service quality and fraud control are improved, but network compatibility and operational complexity worsen when visited networks do not support CAMEL
Solution Approach 1:
An application layer gateway is introduced as an intermediary component that enables CAMEL services for outbound roamers without requiring the visited network to support CAMEL protocol. The gateway translates and interfaces between the CAMEL-based home network services and the non-CAMEL visited network infrastructure, allowing fraud control and service management to function while maintaining compatibility with networks that do not natively support CAMEL
2Adaptability or versatility
If CAMEL agreements are established between home and visited networks, then service support is improved, but time consumption and operational friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The application layer gateway serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for bilateral CAMEL agreements between home and visited networks. By centralizing the CAMEL protocol support in the gateway at the home network side, the system can provide CAMEL services to roamers in visited networks without requiring the visited network operator to participate in agreement negotiations or implement CAMEL protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The CAMEL protocol support and agreement requirements are extracted from the visited network and concentrated in the home network's application layer gateway. This extraction allows the visited network to remain simple and compatible without CAMEL, while the gateway handles all CAMEL-related functionality including service provisioning, fraud control, and billing
3Productivity
If CAMEL services are provided to outbound roamers, then real-time billing and service restriction are improved, but system complexity increases when visited networks lack CAMEL support
Solution Approach 1:
The application layer gateway acts as an intermediary that maintains real-time billing and service restriction capabilities by implementing a client-server architecture. The client component on the mobile device and the server component in the gateway work together to provide CAMEL services over non-CAMEL interfaces, enabling real-time charging and service management without requiring the visited network to be complex
4Adaptability or versatility
If CAMEL protocol is implemented in both home and visited networks, then service functionality is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The application layer gateway simplifies operations by centralizing all CAMEL protocol implementation and service logic in the home network. This eliminates the need for operators to coordinate CAMEL configuration, protocol matching, and service agreement negotiations between home and visited networks, making the system easier to operate while maintaining full CAMEL service functionality
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for enabling support of IN services for an HPMN's outbound roamer. The method provides a client-server architecture that enables exchange of messages between a client coupled to the outbound roamer's mobile device and a gateway coupled to the HPMN network. The method includes enabling a client on the outbound roamer's mobile device after successful registration of the outbound roamer with a VPMN and based on exchange of one or more parameters, encapsulated over one or more bearers, with a gateway. Moreover, the HPMN and the VPMN do not support either exchange of IN messages or an IN agreement. The method further includes facilitating communication between the client and an HPMN service node or an HPMN SCP, via the gateway that facilitates communication by translating the encapsulated IN messages in a protocol compatible with either the service node or the SCP. The method further includes managing the IN services using the gateway and either the service node or the SCP, by updating the outbound roamer's one or more traffic control conditions at the client.