Direct NAS Signalling via UE IP Address Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems lack a mechanism for direct non-access stratum (NAS) signalling between user equipment (UE) and network functions in the core network, relying on intermediate entities like the Access & Mobility Management Function (AMF) for address exchange, which limits efficient communication and service-based interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of IP-based addressing mechanisms for direct NAS signalling between UE and network functions, where the UE generates a unique IPv6 address using a routable prefix and a unique identifier, and obtains IP addresses for control plane network functions through radio resource control configuration, enabling direct communication without intermediaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intermediate entities like AMF are used for address exchange in NAS signalling, then communication reliability is maintained through centralized management, but signalling efficiency deteriorates due to additional forwarding steps and inability to establish direct UE-NF interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address exchange function from the intermediate AMF entity and implements it directly at the UE through local IP address generation. The UE autonomously generates an IP address using a routable prefix received from the RAN and a unique identifier, eliminating the need for AMF-mediated address allocation and enabling direct NAS signalling to the network function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary IP address configuration at the RRC layer before NAS signalling begins. The routable prefix is provided to the UE during RRC setup, and the UE pre-generates its IP address using this prefix and a unique identifier (such as 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI), so that when NAS signalling starts, the UE already has a valid address for direct communication without requiring intermediate address allocation.
2Loss of time
If direct UE-NF signalling is implemented without intermediaries, then communication efficiency improves through reduced signalling steps, but network control and management capability deteriorates due to loss of centralized address management
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary control by providing the routable prefix to the UE through the RAN during RRC setup. This prefix is carefully selected to be routable within the network infrastructure. The UE then combines this controlled prefix with its own unique identifier to generate the final IP address, ensuring both direct communication capability and network controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local IP address generation at the UE with distinct functional components: the routable prefix (provided by network control) and the unique identifier (generated by UE). This local differentiation allows the network to control the routable portion while the UE maintains autonomy over its identifying portion, achieving both efficiency and control.
3Ease of operation
If IP addresses are assigned through centralized network functions, then address management reliability is improved, but device complexity and signalling overhead increase due to additional network entities and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs self-service IP address allocation by autonomously generating its own IP address using the routable prefix received from the RAN and its unique identifier. This eliminates the need for the UE to interact with centralized address management entities like DHCP servers or HSS for IP allocation, significantly simplifying the process while reducing network entity complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The necessary components for IP address generation (routable prefix and unique identifier) are prepared in advance during RRC setup, allowing the UE to immediately generate a valid IP address without requiring subsequent network interactions for address allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method, apparatus, and computer program for causing a user equipment to perform: identifying a first identifier that uniquely identifies the user equipment; and generating a first internet protocol, IP, address for addressing the user equipment using at least part of the first identifier, the first IP address being for direct non-access stratum signalling between the user equipment and a network function of a core network.