NAS Transport Message Routing for 5G Core Network Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially in virtualized 5G networks, existing techniques face challenges in efficiently managing non-mobility management messages without an active data session, leading to reduced throughput and limited communication capabilities between user equipment (UE) and virtualized entities of the core network.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating and transmitting Non-Access Stratum (NAS) transport messages that include policy control payloads, allowing communication between UE and core network entities without an active data connection, using routing information and security keys to ensure message integrity and routing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing techniques are used for managing non-mobility management messages, then communication between UE and core network entities can be maintained, but throughput is reduced and communication capabilities are limited when no active data session exists

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcommunication capabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The NAS transport message structure is designed to carry multiple types of payloads including policy control payloads, session management payloads, and short message service payloads within a single message framework. This allows the same transport mechanism to handle diverse communication needs without requiring separate dedicated sessions for each service type, thereby improving both throughput and communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary NAS transport message that facilitates communication between the UE and core network entities even when no active data session exists. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator carrying policy control and other non-mobility management messages through the available NAS signaling connection, enabling communication capabilities that would otherwise be limited without an active data session.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If NAS transport messages are generated for virtualized core network entities, then communication flexibility is improved, but message routing and security management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidmessage routing and security management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NAS transport message is segmented into distinct components including a header indicating payload type, routing information for core network entity destination, and the payload itself (which may be policy control, session management, or SMS content). This segmentation allows for systematic handling of different message types and routing requirements, managing complexity through structured organization rather than monolithic message handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the message structure to indicate different payload types and routing requirements. By using header fields to specify payload type and destination entity, the system can dynamically adapt the message handling process based on these parameters, providing communication flexibility while managing complexity through parameter-driven routing and processing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3577950B1Non-access stratum transport for non-mobility management messages
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3577950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A wireless communications system may support techniques for efficient communication between a user equipment (UE) and different entities (or functions) of a core network. Specifically, the UE may interact with a single entity (or function) of a core network (e.g., an access and mobility management function (AMF)), and messages intended for other entities (or functions) may be routed appropriately by this entity. For example, an AMF may receive a message from a UE intended for another entity (or function) of the core network, and the AMF may transmit (or route) the message to the entity (or function). Similarly, the AMF may receive a message from another entity (or function) of the core network, and the AMF may transmit (or route) the message to the UE.