Direct NAS Session Management Without AMF Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inflexibility of deploying core network elements in wireless communication systems due to the reliance on the access and mobility management function (AMF) for forwarding non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, leading to poor management and control of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct connection between access network devices and session management function network elements using a service-oriented interface, allowing them to exchange NAS messages without AMF forwarding, and incorporating additional information for enhanced control and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the AMF is used as a relay for NAS signaling, then the core network element deployment is centralized and reliable, but the flexibility of managing and controlling PDU session procedures is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NAS message forwarding function from the AMF and establishes direct connections between access network devices and session management function network elements. This allows the AMF to focus on mobility management while session management is handled directly by SMF network elements, improving flexibility without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control plane functions by separating mobility management (AMF) from session management (SMF). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, with SMF network elements可以直接处理session相关流程，从而提高管理灵活性
2Productivity
If direct connection between access network device and session management function network element is established, then the flexibility and efficiency of session management is improved, but the reliability may be compromised without AMF forwarding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service-oriented interface as an intermediary mechanism between access network devices and SMF network elements. This standardized interface ensures reliable message transmission while maintaining direct connection benefits, effectively balancing efficiency and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The service-oriented interface serves multiple functions including message routing, protocol conversion, and error handling. This multi-functional approach ensures that direct connections remain reliable while maintaining the efficiency gains from eliminated AMF forwarding
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a session management method and an apparatus. The method includes: An access network element receives a first message from a terminal device, where the first message includes an identifier of a first session and a first non-access stratum NAS message, and the first NAS message is used to request to establish or activate the first session corresponding to the identifier; and the access network element sends a second message to a first session management function network element, where the second message includes the first NAS message and an identifier of the terminal device. In this solution, the access network element may be directly connected to the first session management function network element (for example, directly connected to the first session management function network element based on a service-oriented interface), and the access network element directly exchanges a NAS message with the first session management function network element without forwarding by an AMF. This can improve flexibility of deploying a core network element, and improve management and control efficiency of a network session related procedure.