Convergent Network Device for 4G-5G Access Signaling Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4G and 5G network interworking architectures require significant signaling interactions when a terminal re-accesses a network, leading to complex and resource-intensive access procedures.
Innovation Solution
A convergent network device integrates mobility management functions from both 4G and 5G networks, allowing it to determine a terminal's context based on a globally unique temporary identity (GUTI) and a device identifier, reducing the need for signaling interactions and simplifying the access process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal re-accesses a network using the current 4G-5G interworking architecture, then network interoperability is achieved, but signaling interaction increases and access procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the 4G MME and 5G AMF into a single convergent network device. This device maintains both 4G and 5G mobility management functions simultaneously, allowing it to handle terminal access from either network without requiring separate signaling interactions with different network elements. The merged device directly determines terminal context using the GUTI and device identifier, eliminating the complex interworking signaling required by separate 4G and 5G management entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The convergent network device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a 4G MME and 5G AMF. It can identify whether a terminal is accessing from 4G or 5G based on the GUTI format and appropriately handle the access procedure within a single device. This universal design allows the same device to perform multiple mobility management roles, simplifying the overall network architecture and reducing access procedure complexity while maintaining interoperability.
2Reliability
If separate MME and AMF network elements are used for 4G and 5G networks, then network functionality is maintained, but the quantity of network devices increases and operational workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate 4G MME and 5G AMF network elements into a single convergent network device. This device hosts both mobility management functions in one physical or virtual instance, reducing the total number of network devices required. The merged device maintains all necessary network functionalities by implementing both 4G and 5G protocols and context management capabilities within its unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The convergent network device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it operates as both a 4G MME and 5G AMF. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require two separate devices, thereby reducing device quantity and operational workload while preserving all necessary network functionalities for both 4G and 5G networks.
3Measurement precision
If signaling interaction is added for context conversion between 4G and 5G networks, then terminal context accuracy is maintained, but signaling overhead increases and access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging 4G and 5G mobility management functions into a single convergent network device, the patent eliminates the need for interworking signaling between separate MME and AMF entities. The device directly accesses and determines terminal context using the GUTI and its own device identifier, bypassing the multi-step signaling interaction required in traditional architectures. This direct context determination maintains accuracy while significantly reducing access time and signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the context determination logic from the complex interworking signaling process and implements it directly within the convergent network device. Instead of relying on external signaling exchanges between separate network elements to obtain terminal context, the device internally determines context using the GUTI and device identifier, thereby removing the time-consuming signaling overhead while preserving context accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to reduce signaling interaction in an access process of a terminal includes: receiving, by a convergent network device, an access request message from a first access device on a first network, where the access request message carries a first globally unique temporary identity (GUTI) of a terminal, which is an old GUTI on the first network or a GUTI on the first network and obtained by mapping a second GUTI on a second network; determining, by the convergent network device, a first target context of the terminal on the first network based on the first GUTI and a device identifier corresponding to the convergent network device when serving as a mobility management device; and sending, by the convergent network device, an access response message to the first access device to indicate that the terminal has successfully accessed the first network.