Multi-SCP Telecommunications Routing with Centralized NRF Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP Release 16 specifications do not provide clear guidance on handling multiple Service Communication Proxy (SCP) deployments, including redundancy and routing paths, leading to cumbersome and error-prone configuration changes in network functions (NFs) and SCPs.

Innovation Solution

Centralize deployment and routing path configuration in a Network Repository Function (NRF), allowing NFs and SCPs to determine routes based on region-level information, reducing the need for distributed configuration changes and enabling dynamic updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple SCPs are deployed in different regions, then service coverage and redundancy are improved, but configuration complexity and error rates increase due to distributed configuration changes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSCP redundancyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NRF acts as an intermediary between NFs and SCPs, centralizing the routing path configuration. Instead of NFs directly configuring SCP routing paths, the NRF mediates by storing routing path information and providing it to NFs upon request, thereby simplifying the distributed configuration complexity while maintaining multi-SCP redundancy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring routing paths in the NRF before actual communication occurs. The NRF stores routing path information in advance, allowing NFs to simply query for the path when needed without performing complex distributed configuration changes at runtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If routing path configuration is distributed across multiple NFs and SCPs, then flexibility is improved, but configuration errors and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The NRF serves as a central intermediary that handles routing path configuration operations. NFs interact with the NRF to obtain routing paths rather than directly configuring SCPs, which simplifies operations while maintaining the flexibility to route through multiple SCPs in different regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing NFs to autonomously query the NRF for routing path information without requiring manual configuration changes in multiple SCPs. The NRF automatically provides the appropriate routing paths based on pre-configured region information, making the system easier to operate while preserving routing flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4104392B1Routing communication in telecommunications network having multiple service communication proxies

Publication Date: 2025.07.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A function in a network node in a telecommunications network having at least one service communication proxy, SCP, deployed between a first network node and a second network node performs a method including receiving a request for routing information to signal a message from the first network node to the second network node. The method further includes responsive to the request from the first network node, providing a response to a network node that sent the request wherein the response identifies at least a portion of a routing path for the message based on a routing path configuration.