Interworking Function for 5G Location Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the transition from 4G to 5G mobile communication networks, existing technologies face challenges in querying and acquiring location information of users within the 5G network, as the application server (AS) and gateway mobile location center (GMLC) can only access location information from the 4G network.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for acquiring location information in a 5G network, which involves receiving answer data from a home subscriber server (HSS) carrying the hostname of a mobility management entity (MME), determining the actual network registered for the user, and if it is a 5G network, acquiring the user's location information. This process includes interactions between the AS, IWF, AMF, and HSS to facilitate the retrieval of 5G network location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses existing 4G network location querying mechanisms, then the AS and GMLC can access location information in the 4G network, but they cannot acquire location information of users in the 5G network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Interworking Function (IWF) as an intermediary component that bridges the 4G and 5G networks. The IWF receives location service requests from the GMLC, translates them into 5G-compatible formats, interacts with the 5G AMF to obtain location information, and returns the results to the GMLC. This intermediary enables legacy 4G-based location services to access 5G network location data without requiring modifications to the existing GMLC or HSS architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter mapping and transformation between 4G and 5G network protocols. The IWF translates location service request parameters from 4G EPS-LCS format to 5G NR-LCS format, and converts response parameters back to 4G-compatible formats. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain backward compatibility while accessing 5G network resources, resolving the contradiction between using existing 4G mechanisms and accessing 5G location information.
2Reliability
If the system maintains the existing 4G-only architecture, then the system structure remains simple and stable, but location-based services cannot function properly in 5G environments
Solution Approach 1:
The IWF acts as a transparent intermediary that maintains system stability by isolating the 5G integration complexity from the core 4G location services. The GMLC and HSS continue to operate with their existing 4G protocols and interfaces, while the IWF handles all 5G-specific interactions. This approach ensures system reliability is maintained while enabling 5G service functionality through the intermediary layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location service architecture into distinct functional layers: the legacy 4G location service layer (GMLC, HSS), the interworking layer (IWF), and the 5G access layer (AMF, 5G core network). This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own stability characteristics, while the IWF provides controlled interaction between layers. The segmentation enables 5G service functionality without compromising the stability of the established 4G infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the system queries location information through the HSS in the 4G network, then the query process follows existing protocols, but the queried location information is not accurate for 5G network users
Solution Approach 1:
The IWF intermediary intercepts location service requests before they reach the HSS, determines whether the user is registered in the 5G network, and redirects the query to the appropriate 5G network element (AMF) when necessary. This intelligent routing ensures that location information is retrieved from the correct network domain, maintaining protocol compatibility with existing systems while achieving accurate location data for 5G users by querying the appropriate network source.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for acquiring location information and an apparatus for acquiring location information, a device and a storage medium. The method includes: receiving answer data sent by a home subscriber server (HSS), where the answer data carries a hostname of a mobility management entity (MME); determining, on the basis of the hostname of the MME, a network actually registered for a user; and in a case where the network actually registered for the user is a 5G network, acquiring location information of the user in the 5G network.