DCN Brokering for Roaming UE Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to allocate a user equipment (UE) roaming in a visited network to a dedicated core network (DCN) out of multiple available DCNs, especially when the DCN indicated in the subscriber data is not supported in the visited network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that receive a DCN-type indicator from the home network, determine if the indicated DCN is supported, and if not, identify an alternative DCN-type supported by the visited network, replacing the original indicator with the alternative DCN-type to allocate the UE to an appropriate DCN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the DCN indicated in subscriber data is used for roaming UE, then the subscriber's network requirements are fulfilled, but the visited network may not support the indicated DCN-type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DCN brokering function as an intermediary between the home network and visited network. This broker receives DCN-type indicators from the home network, determines whether the indicated DCN-type is supported in the visited network, and maps to an alternative DCN-type if necessary. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling subscription requirement fulfillment while adapting to visited network capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the DCN-type parameter when the indicated DCN-type is not supported in the visited network. The system determines an alternative DCN-type that is supported by the visited network and uses this alternative parameter for UE allocation. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain subscriber requirements while ensuring compatibility with visited network infrastructure.
2Loss of information
If DCN selection is based solely on subscriber profile from home network, then subscription data is respected, but roaming compatibility issues arise when indicated DCN is not supported in visited network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of DCN-type support capability in the visited network before completing the UE allocation process. The DCN brokering function checks whether the indicated DCN-type is supported in the visited network as part of the authentication/registration procedure, allowing for early detection and resolution of compatibility issues without delaying the overall roaming setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The DCN brokering function acts as an intermediary that receives subscription data from the home network, determines DCN-type support in the visited network, and maps to appropriate alternative DCN-types if needed. This mediator ensures both subscription data accuracy and roaming compatibility by bridging the home and visited networks.
3Device complexity
If traditional roaming procedures are used without DCN brokering, then network simplicity is maintained, but signaling traffic increases and roaming agreement renegotiation becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs DCN-type compatibility determination and alternative DCN-type mapping during the initial authentication/registration procedure. By resolving DCN allocation issues preliminarily at this stage, the system avoids subsequent signaling exchanges and roaming agreement renegotiations, thereby reducing overall signaling traffic despite the added brokering function complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The DCN brokering function implements feedback mechanisms where the visited network's DCN support capability is determined and fed back into the allocation decision process. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt DCN selection based on actual network capabilities, reducing the need for iterative signaling and improving roaming setup efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method, node and computer program for allocating a user equipment, UE, (30) roaming in a visited network (10), to a dedicated core network, DCN, (120) out of a plurality of DCN (120) available in the visited network (10), is provided. The method comprises receiving a trigger comprising a DCN-type indicator from a home network (20) of the roaming UE (30), and determining, responsive to the reception of the DCN- type indicator, whether an DCN-type indicated by the received DCN-type indicator is supported by the visited network (10). The method further comprises determining, if the DCN-type is not supported by the visited network (10), an alternative DCN-type supported by the visited network (10) and allocating, by the visited network (10), the roaming UE (30) to a DCN (120) of the alternative DCN-type.