Diameter Proxy Agent for SMS Number Portability Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current standards for LTE networks do not provide a defined method to properly forward short message service (SMS) messages when a recipient mobile subscriber has ported out of the network, leading to communication issues.
Innovation Solution
A Diameter proxy agent is utilized to receive mobile subscriber location information request messages, query a number portability database to determine if the recipient has ported to a foreign network, and forward the message accordingly, ensuring correct routing of SMS messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing Diameter protocols are used for SMS message routing in LTE networks, then standard compliance is maintained, but the system cannot properly handle SMS messages when recipients have ported to foreign networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Diameter proxy agent as an intermediary component between the SMS service center and the HSS. This proxy agent intercepts location information requests and queries the number portability database to determine if the recipient has ported to a foreign network. If porting is detected, the proxy agent modifies the request to route it to the appropriate foreign network gateway, ensuring reliable SMS delivery while maintaining compliance with existing Diameter protocols.
2Reliability
If the system queries the number portability database for every SMS message, then accurate routing is achieved, but network signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs number portability queries in advance when the Diameter proxy agent receives location information requests. By proactively checking the number portability database before routing decisions are made, the system prepares routing information ahead of time. This preliminary action allows the proxy agent to quickly determine the appropriate routing path without adding significant delay to the SMS message delivery process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Diameter proxy agent intercepts and forwards all location information requests, then correct routing for ported subscribers is achieved, but the complexity of the network architecture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Diameter proxy agent is designed as a multi-functional component that handles both standard Diameter protocol messages and number portability queries. It can process location information requests for both non-ported and ported subscribers using the same infrastructure. The proxy agent maintains compatibility with existing HSS and SMS service center operations while adding the capability to query the number portability database and route messages to foreign networks, thereby supporting number portability without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for utilizing a Diameter proxy agent to communicate short message service (SMS) messages in a Diameter network includes receiving, from an SMS service center via a Diameter interface, a mobile subscriber location information request message directed to a home subscriber server (HSS), wherein mobile subscriber location information request message is associated with a recipient mobile subscriber. The method further includes querying a number portability database to determine whether the recipient mobile subscriber has been ported to a foreign network and forwarding the mobile subscriber location information request message toward a gateway associated with the foreign network In response to determining the recipient mobile subscriber has been ported to the foreign network. The method also includes, in response to determining the recipient mobile subscriber has not been ported to the foreign network, forwarding the request message to the HSS in the first network or the foreign network.