Network Node Identifier Mapping for 5G PubSub Terminal Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conventional technical specifications lack a mechanism for enabling terminals to function as publishers or subscribers in the PubSub platform deployed in the 5G system, particularly due to issues with Network Address Translation (NAT) and complex cache release processing, leading to potential miss recognition of terminals during association management.

Innovation Solution

Introduce a network node with a reception and transmission unit to handle messages between the Data Collection Coordination Function (DCCF) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), along with a control unit to store associations, enabling terminals to participate in the PubSub platform by enhancing payload container types and introducing new interfaces like Namf_DataManagement for transparent data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If terminals are enabled to participate in PubSub platform with NAT traversal, then service flexibility and adaptability are improved, but association management complexity and terminal recognition accuracy deteriorate due to complex cache release processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal participation in PubSub platformVSAvoidassociation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node acts as an intermediary between terminals and the PubSub platform. It receives messages from terminals containing first identifiers, obtains second identifiers from AMF, establishes associations between these identifiers, and manages the caching relationships. This intermediary role simplifies terminal operations while maintaining accurate associations despite NAT address translations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If terminals are enabled to participate in PubSub platform, then service flexibility is improved, but terminal recognition accuracy deteriorates due to NAT address translation issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice deployment flexibilityVSAvoidterminal recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network node implements a feedback mechanism where it receives messages from terminals with first identifiers, queries AMF to obtain corresponding second identifiers, establishes bidirectional associations, and maintains cache relationships. This feedback loop ensures accurate terminal recognition by continuously updating and verifying identifier mappings despite NAT address translations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional cache release processing is used, then memory management is simplified, but terminal association accuracy deteriorates leading to miss recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecache management simplicityVSAvoidterminal association accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network node serves as an intermediary that manages cache associations between first identifiers (from terminals) and second identifiers (from AMF). It receives messages from terminals, obtains corresponding AMF identifiers, establishes and maintains accurate cache relationships, and releases caches appropriately. This intermediary management maintains association accuracy while simplifying the overall cache management process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4668717A1Network node and communication method
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4668717A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668717A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668717A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network node includes: a reception unit configured to receive, from a DCCF (Data Collection Coordination Function), a message that includes: a first identifier configured by a terminal; information indicating an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function); and a second identifier configured by the AMF; a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the DCCF, a response that is a response to the message and includes information indicating the node itself and a third identifier; and a control unit configured to store an association between the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier.