E-UTRAN Cell Traffic Trace Identity Resolution via Session Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In E-UTRAN wireless communications networks, cell traffic trace functionality lacks the provision of subscriber and equipment identities, making troubleshooting difficult and inefficient, especially when security constraints prevent network elements from sharing these identities.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves generating a unique trace recording session reference by network elements like eNBs during cell traffic trace activation, which includes identifying the user equipment (UE) through IMSI, MSISDN, or IMEI numbers, and sending this information to the core network for trace logging and collection, enabling efficient tracing and troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell traffic trace functionality is implemented without subscriber and equipment identities, then security constraints are maintained and network elements are protected, but troubleshooting capability and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trace reference as an intermediary element that enables trace functionality without exposing actual subscriber identities. The trace reference acts as a mediator between the need for tracing capabilities and security constraints, allowing network elements to be traced while maintaining security by not directly sharing sensitive identity information across all network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the trace information into multiple parts: trace reference (distributed to network elements), and actual identities (held only by the trace collection entity). This segmentation allows troubleshooting functionality to be distributed while keeping sensitive identity data centralized and protected, resolving the contradiction between trace capability and security.
2Productivity
If subscriber and equipment identities are shared across all network elements, then troubleshooting efficiency improves, but security constraints are violated and network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trace reference serves as an intermediary that enables efficient troubleshooting without requiring direct sharing of complex identity data. Network elements can perform tracing operations using the simple trace reference, while the complex identity resolution is handled by the specialized trace collection entity, thus improving efficiency without increasing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the identity resolution functionality from general network elements and places it in a dedicated trace collection entity. This extraction allows network elements to perform efficient tracing using simple references without needing to store or process complex identity data, thereby improving troubleshooting efficiency while reducing network element complexity.
3Measurement precision
If trace records include complete identity information at all network elements, then trace accuracy improves, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trace reference acts as an intermediary that preserves trace accuracy while mitigating security risks. It enables precise identification of traced calls and network elements without requiring sensitive identity information to be stored or transmitted across all network elements, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing information security exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts sensitive identity information from the distributed trace records and consolidates it in the trace collection entity. This extraction ensures that trace accuracy is maintained through proper correlation of trace data via references, while security risks are reduced by minimizing the distribution of sensitive identity information across the network.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatuses, systems and computer programs related to providing a cell traffic trace functionality in E-UTRAN. A cell trace activation message is received (200), a cell traffic trace session is then started for a cell (210), and call set up is started (220). A trace recording session is started and, simultaneously, a unique identifier is generated for the recording session (230). A trace notification may then be sent to a core network or mobility management entity (240). The trace notification may include a trace recording session reference which comprises the unique identifier for the recording session. The IMSI and/or IMEI may also be determined for the call (250), and the trace recording session reference is forwarded to a trace collection entity (260).