Non-IP Data Delivery via RDS Port Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In non-Internet Protocol (IP) data delivery systems, particularly in 3GPP and 5G networks, the challenge arises when multiple non-IP PDN connections share the same access point name (APN), leading to incorrect delivery of mobile originated (MO) non-IP data to the wrong application and incorrect charging data recording, due to the Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) inability to accurately identify the correct EPS bearer for data transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing Reliable Data Service (RDS) port configurations to establish precise associations between non-IP connections and applications, using RDS port configurations managed statically or dynamically, ensuring correct routing of non-IP data by correlating EPS bearer identities with RDS port configurations, thereby ensuring accurate delivery and charging records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple non-IP PDN connections share the same APN, then network resource utilization is improved, but data delivery accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoiddata delivery accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification process by introducing RDS port configurations as a distinct identification layer. Each non-IP PDN connection is associated with specific RDS port configurations, allowing the SCEF to differentiate between connections sharing the same APN through unique port configuration identifiers rather than relying solely on APN matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RDS port configurations as an intermediary identification mechanism between the APN and the EPS bearer. This intermediary layer provides additional discrimination capability, enabling the SCEF to accurately identify the correct EPS bearer even when multiple connections share the same APN by matching both APN and RDS port configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the SCEF uses basic APN matching to route non-IP data, then routing simplicity is improved, but application identification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting simplicityVSAvoidapplication identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring RDS port configurations and establishing their associations with specific applications and EPS bearers before data routing occurs. This pre-establishment of identification parameters allows the SCEF to perform accurate application identification without adding complexity to the actual data routing process, as the matching criteria are prepared in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the RDS port configuration mechanism universally applicable across multiple non-IP PDN connections sharing the same APN. Rather than creating separate routing mechanisms for each connection, the universal RDS port configuration approach provides a unified identification method that works for all connections, maintaining routing simplicity while improving identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple PDN connections with the same APN, then connection versatility is improved, but charging record accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection versatilityVSAvoidcharging record accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the charging identification process by incorporating RDS port configuration parameters into the charging data record generation. Each charging record is associated with specific RDS port configurations, which uniquely identify the application and EPS bearer combination. This segmentation ensures that even when multiple PDN connections share the same APN, each connection's charging records are accurately differentiated through their unique RDS port configuration identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3994851B1Methods and apparatuses for non-IP data delivery
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3994851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3994851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3994851B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for non-Internet protocol (IP) data delivery are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a network exposure node obtains associations between multiple non-IP connections between a terminal device and the network exposure node and multiple reliable data service (RDS) port configurations configured to the network exposure node by an application related node for multiple applications. The network exposure node receives, from the application related node, a message that is destined to the terminal device and includes non-IP data and one of the multiple RDS port configurations. The network exposure node transfers the non-IP data to the terminal device through one of the multiple non-IP connections that is associated with the one of the multiple RDS port configurations according to the obtained associations.