Hierarchical Connectivity Management for Cross-Network UE Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location management techniques in wireless networks are limited to intra-domain tracking, failing to efficiently manage seamless connectivity and location information across different network boundaries, especially when user equipment (UE) moves between networks operated by different providers, leading to limitations in quality of service and data forwarding efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical Connectivity Management (CM) system is introduced, featuring a Global CM for inter-network management and domain CM for intra-network management, utilizing virtual user-specific CMs and virtual network slices to track and resolve UE locations across different network domains without the need for roaming, enabling efficient interoperation between networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intra-domain location management techniques are used, then location tracking within a single network domain is maintained, but seamless connectivity and location information management across different network boundaries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the location management system into hierarchical segments: domain CM components for intra-domain management and global CM components for inter-domain management. This segmentation allows each level to handle specific aspects of location tracking independently, ensuring reliable local tracking while enabling seamless cross-network connectivity through coordinated interaction between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual user-specific CM components as intermediaries between the UE and physical network infrastructure. These virtual CM components act as mediators that maintain location information and connectivity context as UEs move across different network domains, enabling seamless handover and continuous tracking without requiring direct UE involvement in complex inter-domain protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If roaming schemes are implemented for cross-network connectivity, then connectivity between different network providers is enabled, but availability of location information and mobility management data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual CM components that are universally applicable across different network domains. These virtual components maintain a unified view of UE location and mobility state regardless of which physical network domain the UE is currently attached to, ensuring location information remains available and consistent across all networks without loss during handovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing virtual CM components and their associated location tracking contexts before UEs actually move between networks. This allows the system to proactively prepare for inter-domain mobility, ensuring location information and mobility management data are already available when cross-network transitions occur, eliminating information loss.
3Measurement precision
If virtual user-specific CM components are migrated with UE movement, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity and data management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically migrating complex CM state data structures, the patent creates lightweight copies or references to virtual CM components that follow the UE across domains. These virtual components contain only essential location and connectivity context, reducing the complexity of migration operations while maintaining accurate location tracking. The full mobility management data remains anchored at home network domains, reducing redundant data management overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of location tracking and location resolution are discussed for network architectures which allow devices, such as User Equipment, to communicate with different networks (e.g., different network operators) without roaming. A hierarchical Connectivity Management (CM) is provided which allows for location tracking and location resolution as devices move within and between different network boundaries. Such a hierarchy includes a Global CM which provides inter network CM, and domain CM which provides intra network CM. Some embodiments utilize virtual user CMs within the domain. In some embodiments the global CM is implemented by a third party. In other embodiments different networks inter operate by utilizing virtual network slices over non-owned infrastructure to provide what appears to be a global network by each operator.