Edge Service Discovery for Home-Routed Roaming Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack effective support for providing edge computing services to terminals in home-routed roaming scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a V-SMF receiving an HR-SBO allowed indication and transmitting a request message to an EASDF for DNS context creation, and a UE transmitting a registration request to an AMF and receiving a PDU session establishment acceptance message.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If home-routed roaming scenarios are supported in existing technologies, then service coverage is expanded, but effective support for edge computing services is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidedge computing service support
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an EASDF (Edge Application Service Discovery Function) as an intermediary network element to bridge the gap between existing home-routed roaming infrastructure and edge computing services. The EASDF receives DNS context creation requests from V-SMF, manages DNS contexts, and provides resolution services that enable edge computing service discovery and access in roaming scenarios without disrupting existing network architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the edge computing service support function into a separate network element (EASDF) that can be independently deployed and managed. This segmentation allows the core roaming infrastructure to remain unchanged while adding specialized edge computing capabilities through modular DNS context management and service discovery functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If edge computing services are added to home-routed roaming scenarios, then service availability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The EASDF is designed as a universal network element that handles multiple functions: DNS context management, service discovery, and resolution services. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate systems, thereby improving service availability while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service mechanisms where the EASDF automatically manages DNS contexts, performs service discovery, and provides resolution services without requiring manual intervention. The automated context creation, update, and deletion processes reduce operational complexity while enhancing service availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If DNS context management is implemented for edge computing, then service discovery capability is enhanced, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing DNS contexts in the EASDF before actual service discovery is needed. When a UE requests edge computing services, the DNS context is already prepared and can be quickly resolved, enhancing service discovery capability while minimizing real-time communication overhead through efficient lookup operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4648390A1Edge computing-based communication
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4648390A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648390A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648390A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for a V-SMF to perform communication. The method may include: receiving an HR-SBO allowed indication from an AMF; transmitting a request message to an EASDF relating to the generation of a DNS context; and receiving a response message including an IP address of the EASDF from the EASDF.