NEF-Based NIDD Configuration for Reliable 5G PDU Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communication systems face challenges in providing reliable non-internet protocol (non-IP) Data Delivery (NIDD) services without failure, particularly in scenarios where the necessary configuration is not set by the user equipment (UE) prior to data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves performing the Non-IP Data Delivery (NIDD) configuration procedure not only in the Application Function (AF) but also in the core network, specifically through the Network Exposure Function (NEF), ensuring that the UE can establish a PDU session for non-IP data transmission regardless of prior configuration status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the NIDD configuration procedure is performed only in the Application Function (AF), then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of non-IP data transmission deteriorates because the UE cannot establish a PDU session when prior configuration is not performed
Solution Approach 1:
The Network Exposure Function (NEF) acts as an intermediary between the AF and the UE for NIDD configuration. The NEF receives NIDD configuration requests from the AF, performs the configuration procedure, and enables the UE to establish PDU sessions for non-IP data transmission. This intermediary approach distributes the configuration capability from solely the AF to the core network, improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the NIDD configuration procedure is performed in both the AF and the core network (NEF), then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the device complexity and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NIDD configuration procedure is segmented into different locations: the AF can initiate configuration requests, and the NEF in the core network executes the configuration. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through distributed configuration capability while managing complexity by dividing responsibilities between network functions rather than concentrating all complexity in one place.
Solution Approach 2:
The NEF is designed to autonomously perform the NIDD configuration procedure when receiving requests from the AF. The core network function self-services the configuration task without requiring direct UE involvement in the configuration exchange, thereby improving reliability while keeping the user-side procedure simple.
3Reliability
If the UE performs NIDD configuration before data transmission, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user must perform additional configuration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The NEF serves as an intermediary that handles NIDD configuration on behalf of the UE. Instead of requiring the UE to directly perform configuration procedures with external servers, the NEF autonomously manages the configuration process in the core network, ensuring configuration completeness while maintaining ease of operation for the end user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where the NEF automatically performs NIDD configuration when needed, without requiring explicit user action. The UE simply needs to establish a PDU session, and the NEF handles the configuration in the background, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring configuration reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of performing communication, by a network exposure function, NEF, in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: in case that a request message for connection establishment including information regarding non-internet protocol data delivery, NIDD, configuration for a user equipment, UE, is received from a session management function, SMF, and there is no NIDD configuration for the UE between the NEF and an application function, AF, transmitting a message for triggering a procedure for the NIDD configuration for the UE to the AF, using the information regarding the NIDD configuration for the UE; and based on the transmitting the message for triggering the procedure for the NIDD configuration for the UE to the AF, creating NEF protocol data unit (PDU) session context for the UE; and based on the transmitting the message for triggering the procedure for the NIDD configuration for the UE to the AF, transmitting a response message for the connection establishment to the SMF.