Common Event Exposure Across 4G and 5G Without Duplicate Subscriptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing approaches for reporting events in cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) networks, where a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and Unified Data Management (UDM) are not co-located, result in inefficient network operations due to duplicated subscriptions and slow network evolution, particularly when using legacy protocols like Diameter.
Innovation Solution
A method for common network exposure is implemented, allowing a combined Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) and Network Exposure Function (NEF) node to indicate event subscriptions across both 4G and 5G domains, utilizing a single subscription through a Unified Data Management (UDM) node, thereby avoiding duplicate subscriptions and enabling cloud-native network evolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate HSS and UDM nodes are used in 4G and 5G networks, then network domain independence is maintained, but duplicate event subscriptions are generated reducing network efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the HSS and UDM nodes into a single integrated node that serves both 4G and 5G network domains. This unified node receives a single event subscription request from the SCEF/NEF and manages event reporting for both EPS and 5GC domains, eliminating duplicate subscriptions while maintaining domain independence through logical separation of functions within the unified node.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified HSS/UDM node is designed to perform multiple functions across different network domains. It can handle subscriber data management, event subscription processing, and event reporting for both 4G EPS and 5G 5GC domains simultaneously, making it a universal node that replaces multiple separate nodes and reduces overall network complexity.
2Reliability
If legacy Diameter protocol is used for event reporting, then compatibility with existing 4G networks is maintained, but network evolution speed is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The unified HSS/UDM node acts as an intermediary that translates between different protocol requirements. It receives HTTP-based subscription requests from the cloud-native NEF, processes them through a common event exposure service, and generates appropriate responses for both 4G and 5G domains, enabling protocol abstraction and faster evolution toward modern protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication protocol parameter from legacy Diameter to modern HTTP-based protocols. The unified node supports both protocol types, allowing gradual transition where new 5G services use HTTP while maintaining backward compatibility with 4G services using Diameter, enabling accelerated network evolution without sacrificing compatibility.
3Reliability
If multiple separate nodes are deployed for 4G and 5G event exposure, then domain-specific optimization is achieved, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
While physically unified, the node implements logical segmentation of 4G and 5G functions. The unified HSS/UDM node contains separate functional modules for EPS and 5GC domain processing, allowing domain-specific optimization through logical isolation while maintaining physical consolidation. This reduces deployment complexity by eliminating the need for separate physical nodes while preserving the benefits of domain-specific handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by performed by an exposure node having a first identity in a first network domain in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes initiating a request towards a first network node for a subscription to an event of a communication device. The request includes subscription information for a common network exposure in at least two network domains. The method further includes receiving a response from the first network node. The response includes at least one of: a first confirmation that the event will be reported to the exposure node for a second network domain for the common network exposure and a second confirmation that the event will be reported to the exposure node for the first network domain. The second confirmation omits an indication of the common network exposure. Methods performed by a first network node are also provided.