NAS Transparent Messaging for 4G Information Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4G wireless networks do not fully utilize Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messaging capabilities, limiting the exchange of information between User Equipment (UE) and Mobility Management Entity (MME) via typical IP transport.
Innovation Solution
Implementing NAS transparent messaging that allows the UE and application server to agree on a message format, including a flag indicating the message's nature and application, enabling the MME to relay messages without decoding, and using a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) to reformulate messages for delivery between UE and MME.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If typical IP transport is used for message exchange between UE and MME, then network compatibility is maintained, but information exchange capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary message structure (NAS transparent container) that enables flexible information exchange while maintaining compatibility with existing MME infrastructure. The container includes format indicators and application-specific fields that allow rich message content without requiring MME to understand the application layer protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The message structure is segmented into distinct layers: transport layer (NAS transparent container for MME), application layer (application-specific messages with custom formats). This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own optimization, enabling both compatibility and flexibility
2Reliability
If MME decodes and processes all incoming messages, then message accuracy is ensured, but processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts application-specific message processing from the MME by using transparent containers with format indicators. The MME only needs to validate and forward messages based on the container format, while application layer processing is handled by other network elements, reducing MME complexity while maintaining reliability through structured validation
Solution Approach 2:
The message structure includes parameter fields that indicate message type, format, and processing requirements. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can route different message types through appropriate processing paths, reducing overall processing complexity while ensuring each message type receives appropriate validation
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives, from an application server, a message destined for a user equipment, and reformats the message into a non-access stratum (NAS) transparent message. The device also provides, to a home subscriber server, a query for an identification of a mobility management entity serving the user equipment, and receives, from the home subscriber server, the identification of the mobility management entity serving the user equipment. The device further provides the NAS transparent message to the identified mobility management entity, where the mobility management entity forwards the NAS transparent message to the user equipment.