Identity Mediator Node for UE ID Dependent Service Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE wireless networks, radio base stations (eNBs) are not aware of permanent UE identifiers, making it impossible to trigger functionality based on these identities, which is a challenge for lawful interception across different jurisdictions.
Innovation Solution
An identity mediator node receives UE ID reports from the Mobility Management Entity, storing temporary and permanent UE IDs, and sends activation requests to the eNBs using temporary IDs, enabling the activation of UE-dependent services while maintaining access restrictions and jurisdiction compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If permanent UE identifiers are used in eNBs, then UE identification accuracy is improved, but jurisdiction compliance deteriorates due to cross-border data transmission restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an identity mediator node as an intermediary between the core network and eNB. This mediator maps permanent UE identifiers (IMSI, MSISDN, IMEI) to temporary local identifiers, allowing eNBs to identify UEs without storing or transmitting permanent identifiers across jurisdiction boundaries. The mediator maintains the mapping relationships and enables lawful interception functionality while preserving jurisdictional compliance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If temporary UE identifiers are used in eNBs, then jurisdiction compliance is maintained, but service continuity deteriorates during handovers between different eNBs
Solution Approach 1:
The identity mediator node maintains feedback loops that track UE movement and handover events. When a UE hands over between eNBs, the mediator updates the mapping between permanent and temporary identifiers, ensuring that the new eNB receives the correct temporary identifier to maintain service continuity. This feedback mechanism preserves both jurisdiction compliance and service reliability.
3Measurement precision
If LI functionality is placed in core nodes, then identification accuracy is improved, but operational feasibility deteriorates due to cross-border legal restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lawful interception functionality across multiple network elements: permanent identifier storage and mapping are kept in the core network (MME/HSS), while the actual interception execution is distributed to local eNBs through temporary identifiers. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its legal jurisdiction while maintaining overall system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods and an identity mediator node for controlling a user equipment, UE, identity, ID, dependent service in a radio base station, RBS of a wireless network. The method comprises receiving (S1) from a Mobility Management Entity, MME, a UE ID report comprising a permanent UE ID, a temporary UE ID, and a serving RBS identity for an RBS serving the UE, wherein the temporary UE ID represents an identifier for the UE in the serving RBS. The identity mediator node stores (S2) a record associating the temporary UE ID, the serving RBS identity, and the permanent UE ID record. When an order to activate a UE ID dependent service for a permanent UE ID is detected (D1) in the identity mediator node, the identity mediator node retrieves (S4) the temporary UE ID and serving RBS identity from the stored record. A request is sent (S5) to the serving RBS to activate the UE ID dependent service for the UE, wherein the request includes the temporary UE ID.