NAS Message Processing via Protocol Discriminator Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for supporting NAS signaling in wireless communication systems do not allow for the reuse of existing network functions to efficiently process non-access stratum (NAS) messages, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A message processing method that modifies a special extended protocol discriminator to a regular one, allowing existing network functions to process NAS messages by adding necessary fields such as a security header type and message type, thereby reducing complexity and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing network functions are reused to process NAS messages by overloading the protocol discriminator mechanism, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to handle special extended protocol discriminators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter space of the extended protocol discriminator by defining specific value ranges: values 0-15 represent regular extended protocol discriminators, while values 16-255 represent special extended protocol discriminators. This parameterization allows the system to distinguish between regular and special messages using a simple numerical threshold, enabling existing network functions to process NAS messages efficiently while maintaining clear differentiation between message types without increasing handling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation mechanism where special extended protocol discriminators (values 16-255) are mapped to corresponding regular extended protocol discriminators (values 0-15). This intermediary mapping layer allows existing network functions designed for regular discriminators to process special NAS messages by translating the special discriminator values into their regular equivalents, thereby reusing existing network functions without increasing processing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If special extended protocol discriminator values are used to enable new message types, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision decreases due to potential processing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing a predefined mapping relationship between special extended protocol discriminator values (16-255) and regular extended protocol discriminator values (0-15) before message processing occurs. This pre-configured mapping table ensures that when special discriminator values are encountered, they can be accurately translated to their corresponding regular values, maintaining processing precision while enabling extended message type adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the extended protocol discriminator mechanism universal by enabling it to handle both regular messages (values 0-15) and special NAS messages (values 16-255) through a unified processing framework. The mapping mechanism ensures that special discriminators are translated to regular equivalents, allowing existing network functions to universally process all message types with the same accuracy and reliability as traditional messages
Data Source
AI summary
A message processing method is provided. The message processing method comprises the steps of receiving a message, checking the value of an extended protocol discriminator of the message. If the value of the extended protocol discriminator corresponds to a special extended protocol discriminator, the method includes modifying the special extended protocol discriminator to a regular extended protocol discriminator.