ECS Discovery for Roaming WTRUs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently discovering and configuring edge configuration servers (ECS) during roaming, which hinders seamless network access and service provisioning for wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs).

Innovation Solution

The system enables WTRUs to request notifications for available network nodes in a visited public land mobile network (PLMN) and provides configuration information for establishing sessions with these nodes, specifically using an Edge Configuration Server (ECS) associated with the visited PLMN.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If WTRUs manually discover and configure ECS in visited PLMNs, then network accessibility is improved, but the complexity of roaming procedures increases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork accessibilityVSAvoidroaming configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The home network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring roaming partners and ECS addresses in the WTRU before roaming occurs. The subscription data includes pre-stored information about visited PLMNs and their associated ECS addresses, eliminating the need for manual discovery and configuration during roaming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The home network acts as an intermediary that provides roaming assistance. It includes roaming partner information and ECS address configuration data in the subscription data, serving as a mediator between the WTRU and the visited network, thereby simplifying the roaming procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If WTRUs request notifications for available network nodes, then service provisioning is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provisioning capabilityVSAvoidnetwork node management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The WTRU performs self-service by autonomously requesting and receiving notifications about available network nodes and ECS addresses. The subscription data management function automatically provides relevant information based on the WTRU's current location and subscription profile, enabling self-configuring behavior without manual network intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network provides notifications to the WTRU about available network nodes and ECS addresses. This feedback loop enables the WTRU to adapt its service provisioning based on real-time network availability information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250142305A1ECS discovery associated with roaming

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

A network node, e.g., an edge configuration server (ECS), associated with a first PLMN may receive a first message from a WTRU. The first message may indicate a request to be notified if a type of network node, e.g., an ECS, becomes available to be accessed by the WTRU. The network node may receive a second message from a second network node. The second message may indicate an identity of a second PLMN and may indicate that the WTRU has become registered with the second PLMN. The network node may determine that a third network node of the type of network node, e.g., an ECS, is available to be accessed by the WTRU in the second PLMN. The network node may determine local breakout (LBO) information for the WTRU to establish a LBO packet data unit (PDU) session in the second PLMN and access the third network node.