NEF QoS Request Handling for Unique UE Session Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP specifications do not provide sufficient information for the Network Exposure Function (NEF) node to uniquely identify a UE based on its IP address, especially when multiple IP address domains are involved, leading to potential issues in session binding and QoS management.
Innovation Solution
The terminal device and application server provide additional information, such as an International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI) or Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN), to the NEF node, enabling it to determine a unique identifier for the UE, which is then used by the Policy Control Function (PCF) node for session binding and QoS management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the NEF node uses only IP address for UE identification, then the system is simple to operate, but the NEF node cannot uniquely identify the UE when multiple IP address domains are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary identifier (such as IMSI, MSISDN, or GPSI) that mediates between the IP address and the UE's unique identity. This intermediary serves as a bridge that connects the network layer (IP address) to the subscriber layer (unique UE identifier), enabling the NEF node to uniquely identify the UE without directly relying on the IP address alone. The intermediary identifier is obtained through authentication procedures and is used by the PCF node to perform session binding, thus resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and system complexity.
2Reliability
If additional information (IMSI, MSISDN) is provided to the NEF node for UE identification, then the NEF node can uniquely identify the UE, but the information transmission and processing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by obtaining the intermediary identifier (IMSI, MSISDN, or GPSI) during the authentication phase, before the QoS modification request is processed. The NEF node stores this identifier and includes it in the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Update request sent to the PCF node. This preliminary acquisition and preparation of the identifier ensures that when session binding is needed, the PCF node already has the necessary information to uniquely identify the UE, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing the complexity of the overall process.
3Measurement precision
If the PCF node performs session binding using only IP address, then the process is fast and simple, but the session binding may be incorrect when multiple UEs share the same IP address
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary identifier (IMSI, MSISDN, or GPSI) that mediates between the IP address and the UE's unique identity. This intermediary serves as a bridge that connects the network layer (IP address) to the subscriber layer (unique UE identifier), enabling the NEF node to uniquely identify the UE without directly relying on the IP address alone. The intermediary identifier is obtained through authentication procedures and is used by the PCF node to perform session binding, thus resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method (100) in a terminal device. The method (100) includes: transmitting (110) to a Network Exposure Function, NEF, node a Quality of Service, QoS, request including an Internet Protocol, IP, address of the terminal device and information enabling the NEF node to determine an identifier of the terminal device.