NEF Virtual Group Identifier for Multi-UDM UE Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP standards do not allow different UE group members to belong to different UDM Group Identifiers, making it complex and tedious for MNOs to manage groups of UEs across multiple UDM groups.
Innovation Solution
A method and NEF node configuration that allows the NEF node to identify the UDM group each UE belongs to, send requests to each UDM group to allocate a respective External Group Identifier, and associate all received identifiers with a single virtual External Group Identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing 3GPP standard is followed that all UE group members must belong to the same UDM Group Identifier, then the network architecture maintains simplicity and consistency, but it becomes complex and tedious for MNOs to manage groups of UEs across multiple UDM groups and prevents flexible UE group management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE group management by allowing different UDM groups to manage different subsets of UEs within a logical group. Each UDM group maintains its own External Group Identifier for the UEs it serves, enabling distributed management across multiple UDM groups while maintaining logical group coherence. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible multi-UDM group management without requiring all UEs to belong to the same UDM Group Identifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the NEF (Network Exposure Function) as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple UDM groups and the external AF (Application Function). The NEF receives group management requests, identifies the relevant UDM groups, and orchestrates the allocation of External Group Identifiers across them. This intermediary enables flexible UE group management across multiple UDM groups while abstracting the complexity from MNOs and application functions.
2Extent of automation
If manual intervention is required to manage UE groups across multiple UDM groups, then precise control over group allocation is achieved, but the process becomes complex and tedious requiring significant operational effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the NEF automatically performs UE group management tasks without requiring manual intervention. When an AF requests to add UEs to a group, the NEF autonomously identifies the relevant UDM groups, sends requests to each UDM group to allocate External Group Identifiers, and coordinates the entire process. This automation eliminates the need for manual configuration and reduces operational complexity while maintaining precise control over group allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the NEF proactively identify which UDM groups are responsible for specific UEs before the actual group management operation. The NEF performs preliminary queries to determine UDM group memberships and prepares the allocation strategy in advance. This preliminary identification enables seamless automated coordination across multiple UDM groups without requiring manual intervention during the actual group management process.
3Loss of information
If a single External Group Identifier is used for all UEs in a group managed by multiple UDM groups, then simplified external access is achieved, but internal mapping complexity increases within the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the identifier conflict by introducing a new dimension - the virtual External Group Identifier concept. Instead of trying to map multiple External Group Identifiers to a single one, the system creates a virtual identifier that represents the logical group from the external perspective. Each UDM group maintains its own External Group Identifier internally, while the NEF manages the mapping between the virtual identifier and the multiple real identifiers. This dimensional approach allows simplified external access through a single virtual identifier while managing internal mapping complexity through the NEF's coordination layer.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided techniques for handling groups of UEs in a core network. A method is performed by an NEF node in the core network. An indication that a group of UEs is formed is obtained. The group of UEs is associated with a single virtual External Group Identifier. It is identified to which UDM group each of the UEs belongs. Each UDM group comprise at least one UDM node. The method comprises sending a request to each identified UDM group for the UEs to be added to the group of UEs, and for each identified UDM group to, for the group of UEs, allocate a respective External Group Identifier which will serve the group of UEs. A respective External Group Identifier for the group of UEs is received from each identified UDM group. All the received External Group Identifiers are identified with the single virtual External Group Identifier.