Dynamic PAG Allocation in Lawful Intercept via NRF

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lawful intercept (LI) systems face inefficiencies due to the manual allocation of point of interception aggregation (PAG) devices to user plane functions (UPFs), leading to suboptimal network resource utilization and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a network function repository (NRF) that maintains a list of PAG functions, allowing for dynamic selection and provisioning of PAGs based on LI requests, thereby optimizing the association of PAGs with UPFs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual allocation of PAG devices to UPFs is used, then device complexity is reduced, but network resource utilization is suboptimal and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NRF enables self-service by automatically managing PAG device allocation. The system autonomously queries available PAG devices, selects optimal matches based on predefined criteria, and establishes connections without manual intervention, thereby improving resource utilization while managing complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the NRF continuously monitors network conditions, PAG device availability, and connection status. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of PAG-UPF associations, optimizing resource allocation in real-time and adapting to changing network requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If manual allocation of PAG devices is used, then ease of operation is improved, but network latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork latencyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring PAG devices with necessary parameters and maintaining them in the NRF database before actual allocation is needed. This preparation enables rapid, automated selection and association of PAG devices with UPFs, reducing latency while simplifying operations through standardized pre-configured templates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If dynamic selection of PAG functions via NRF is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NRF serves multiple functions within a single system component: it maintains the database of PAG devices, processes allocation requests, evaluates selection criteria, establishes connections, and monitors network conditions. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into one centralized system, improving allocation efficiency while managing overall system complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250175504A1Network discovery in a lawful intercept system

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Disclosure are techniques for allocating aggregation devices in a lawful intercept system. In an embodiment, a method includes maintaining a list of point of interception aggregation (PAG) functions in a network function repository function (NRF) of a cellular network upon instantiation of the PAG functions; receiving a lawful intercept (LI) request; querying the NRF to determine a respective PAG function; and associating a point of interception (POI) function with the respective PAG function.