MEC Platform User Transition for Cross-Operator 5G Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mobile edge computing (MEC) platform does not allow users from different mobile network operators (MNOs) to access dedicated 5G application services, posing a challenge in providing low latency and high capacity network services across distant locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system are introduced where a second MEC platform receives a user service authentication process triggered by a first MEC platform, allowing user equipment to transition from the first MEC platform to the second MEC platform for identity and radio network verification, enabling access to services of the second core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If services are placed in a distant data center, then network capacity and resource availability are improved, but end-to-end latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized data center services into distributed edge computing nodes (MEC platforms) located at different geographical positions. Each MEC platform provides local service processing, dividing the monolithic data center into multiple distributed units that can serve users with lower latency while collectively providing large network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of service delivery by deploying MEC platforms across multiple mobile network operators' networks. This multi-operator dimension allows users to access services through their home operator's MEC platform or transition to visited operator's MEC platforms, expanding service availability without increasing physical distance.
2Reliability
If MEC services are dedicated to a single mobile network operator, then service security and network management are improved, but accessibility for users of different MNOs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes MEC platforms universal by enabling them to serve multiple mobile network operators. Each MEC platform maintains its core security functions while acquiring the capability to authenticate and serve users from different operators through standardized authentication protocols and inter-operator agreements, thus achieving multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces authentication servers as intermediaries between users of different MNOs and the MEC platforms. These authentication servers verify user identities and facilitate secure access across operator boundaries, acting as mediators that preserve service security while enabling cross-operator accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user authentication across different MNOs is implemented, then cross-operator service access is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from the core MEC service logic and places it in separate authentication servers. This extraction simplifies the MEC platform architecture by removing complex authentication handling from the service delivery path, while the dedicated authentication servers manage the complexity of cross-operator verification protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes authentication parameters and protocols across different operators, transforming diverse operator-specific authentication mechanisms into unified parameters that can be processed consistently by MEC platforms. This parameter standardization reduces system complexity while maintaining cross-operator compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for accessing private network services are disclosed. A second MEC platform receives a user service authentication process triggered by a first MEC platform based on a service access request issued by user equipment for accessing a second core network. In response to the user service authentication process, the second MEC platform preforms a user transition process to trigger the user equipment to perform an access authentication process of the second core network to verify identity information and radio network information of the user equipment. When the second MEC platform successfully verifies the identity information and the radio network information of the user equipment, the user equipment is allowed to be transited from the first MEC platform to the second MEC platform to access services of the second core network.