Network Exposure Function IP Binding for 5G Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in exposing user equipment identification (UE ID) and maintaining service continuity with UE mobility in Fifth Generation New Radio (5G NR) networks, particularly in multi-access edge computing (MEC) systems, due to limitations in network address translation (NAT) and the lack of standardized mechanisms for updating UE IP address mappings.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves upgrading the Network Exposure Function (NEF) to maintain and expose IP address bindings, including private and public IP addresses, and UE IDs, using mechanisms such as subscription to session management functions and reverse DNS queries, enabling edge applications to access updated UE information even in cases of mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network address translation (NAT) is used to manage IP addresses in 5G networks, then IP address management flexibility is improved, but the ability to expose accurate UE ID and maintain service continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address management flexibilityVSAvoidService continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mapping mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the NAT system and the service continuity requirements. The Network Exposure Function (NEF) maintains a mapping between UE IDs and IP addresses (both private and public), enabling accurate UE identification and service continuity despite NAT-induced IP address changes. This intermediary mapping layer resolves the contradiction by decoupling the NAT address management from the service continuity requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE mobility is supported in 5G networks, then network flexibility and user experience are improved, but maintaining accurate UE IP address mappings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE mobility supportVSAvoidUE IP address mapping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the NEF subscribes to session management events (such as PDU session establishment, modification, and release) to receive real-time notifications about UE IP address changes. This feedback loop ensures that the UE ID to IP address mapping is continuously updated and maintained accurately despite UE mobility. The system automatically receives updates about IP address changes and adjusts the mapping accordingly, preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If standardized mechanisms for updating UE IP address mappings are implemented, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveService continuityVSAvoidSystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in the 5G architecture, particularly the Network Exposure Function (NEF), to handle UE ID exposure and IP address mapping. Rather than introducing entirely new specialized components, the NEF is enhanced to perform multiple functions: exposing UE IDs, maintaining IP address mappings, and supporting service continuity. This universal approach improves service continuity while minimizing the increase in system complexity by reusing existing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If UE ID exposure is enabled in NAT environments, then edge application functionality is improved, but accuracy of UE identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEdge application functionalityVSAvoidUE identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing and maintaining the mapping between UE IDs and IP addresses (both private and public) in the NEF before edge applications need to access this information. The mapping is set up and kept current through subscription to session management events, so when edge applications need to identify UEs accurately, the correct mappings are already in place. This preliminary preparation ensures both ease of operation for edge applications and high accuracy in UE identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230370416A1Exposure of UE id and related service continuity with UE and service mobility

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Techniques for maintaining service continuity in a 5G NR network in communication with a MEC system and an edge application (EDGEAPP) system are disclosed. A notification message originating from a service management function (SMF) of a core network (CN) is decoded at a network exposure function (NEF) of the CN. The notification message includes a UE IP address change of a UE. A private IP address of the UE is determined based on the UE IP address change. A query with the private IP address is encoded for transmission to a NAT server. A response from the NAT server is decoded. The response includes a public IP address and a UE ID of the UE. The public IP address corresponds to the private IP address. A tuple including the UE ID, the public IP address, and the private IP address is generated at the NEF.