Intermediary HSS for Roaming Profile Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing roaming services in mobile communication networks is complex due to the need for interoperable communication protocols between different networks, especially when they use different standards or when one network is updated, leading to increased operational costs and technical efforts.
Innovation Solution
A method where the serving core network node requests subscription profile data from the home subscriber server functionality, which then retrieves the data from the further home subscriber server functionality, allowing for simplified communication and reduced technical efforts by hiding the topology of the serving network and using interoperable protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the serving core network node directly communicates with the home network's home subscriber server (HSS) to retrieve subscription profile data, then the roaming service can be provided, but the device complexity and operational costs increase due to the need for interoperable communication protocols between different networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary HSS in the serving network that acts as a mediator between the serving core network node and the home network's HSS. This intermediary HSS retrieves subscription profile data from the home network's HSS and provides it to the serving core network node, thereby eliminating the need for direct interoperable communication between different network standards and reducing protocol configuration complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the serving network configures all serving core network nodes to communicate with every inbound roamer's home network, then complete roaming coverage is achieved, but the operational costs and technical efforts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication function with home networks into a centralized intermediary HSS that handles all interactions with external HSSs. This consolidation allows the serving core network nodes to communicate with a single local HSS rather than maintaining separate communication configurations with multiple external networks, thereby reducing maintenance efforts while preserving comprehensive roaming coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the serving network uses different standards according to different specification releases, then compatibility with various networks is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple protocol versions
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary HSS acts as a protocol translation layer that handles different specification releases and standards. It receives requests from the serving core network node using the serving network's standard, communicates with the home network's HSS using the appropriate protocol version, and translates between them automatically, thereby maintaining network compatibility without increasing complexity at the serving core network node.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing roaming services, for a user equipment, within a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network comprising a core network and an access network, the access network of the mobile communication network comprising at least one radio cell being served by a base station entity, wherein the user equipment is able to be attached to the mobile communication network via the base station entity despite the user equipment being related to a further mobile communication network as the home public land mobile network of the user equipment, wherein the core network comprises a serving core network node and a home subscriber server functionality, wherein the serving core network node provides mobility management functionality regarding the base station entity and thereby provides mobility management functionality regarding the user equipment, wherein the further mobile communication network comprises a further core network, the further core network comprising a further home subscriber server functionality, the further home subscriber server functionality being able to provide subscription profile data regarding the user equipment, wherein upon attachment of the user equipment with the mobile communication network the method comprises the following steps: in a first step, the serving core network node requests, from the home subscriber server functionality and by means of a first request message, subscription profile data regarding the user equipment, in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the home subscriber server functionality requests, from the further home subscriber server functionality and by means of a second request message, subscription profile data regarding the user equipment, in a third step, subsequent to the second step, the further home subscriber server functionality transmits, by means of a first response message, first subscription profile data regarding the user equipment to the home subscriber server functionality, in a fourth step, subsequent to the third step, the home subscriber server functionality transmits, by means of a second response message, second subscription profile data to the serving core network node having requested subscription profile data by means of the first request message, the second subscription profile data corresponding at least in part to the first subscription profile data.