Network Supervision for Device-to-Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack network supervision for device-to-device (D2D) communication, leading to unregulated network traffic, security risks, and no economic advantage for mobile network operators, as they cannot control device behavior or manage proximity-based applications effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus that determine the compatibility and authentication of user equipment for D2D communication, using core network entities like the serving gateway and mobility management entity to identify, evaluate, and control potential D2D communication opportunities, allowing network-based control over device behavior and access to proximity-based services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If device-to-device communication is implemented without network supervision, then communication flexibility and device autonomy are improved, but network security and traffic regulation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network entities (MME, S-GW, PCRF) as intermediaries between devices attempting D2D communication. These intermediaries supervise and control the communication process, verifying device contexts, authentication, and compatibility before allowing direct communication. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining device autonomy for actual communication while ensuring network security through intermediary supervision.
2Reliability
If network supervision is implemented for device-to-device communication, then network security and traffic control are improved, but system complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network supervision function into separate specialized entities: MME for device context determination and authentication, S-GW for packet routing, and PCRF for policy control. This segmentation allows each entity to handle specific aspects of supervision efficiently, reducing overall system complexity compared to a monolithic control system while maintaining comprehensive security oversight.
3Reliability
If device context determination and authentication are performed before D2D communication, then communication security and compatibility are improved, but communication setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs context determination, compatibility evaluation, and authentication as preliminary actions before allowing D2D communication. By completing these security and compatibility checks in advance through network entities, the system ensures secure communication is established before devices begin direct communication, preventing security issues during active communication while minimizing ongoing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, operation of a method, and a result of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a non-transitory computer readable memory in a mobility management entity which identify, evaluate and control potential opportunities for device to device communication among two or more proximately located user equipment. The method or execution of computer instructions include, determining a context of a source user equipment and a context of a target user equipment, determining if the source and target user equipment are device to device communication compatible and determining if the source and target user equipment are authenticated for employing device to device communications. An alternative embodiment includes functionality in a base station.