5G Paging Policy Differentiation via QoS Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G networks lack a mechanism to provide Quality of Service (QoS) information to the Authentication Management Function (AMF) and Radio Access Network (RAN) for effective paging policy differentiation, which is essential for efficient UE paging.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves delivering paging policy differentiation information between the User Plane Function (UPF)/Session Management Function (SMF) and AMF using new QoS modes, such as the QoS Flow Identifier (QFI), and providing this information to the RAN even in Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If 5G networks use the same paging policy as EPS without QoS information delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but paging efficiency and service differentiation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces QoS information as an intermediary element that enables the AMF to perform paging policy differentiation. The QoS information acts as a mediator between the network's paging requests and the appropriate policy selection, allowing efficient service differentiation without requiring complex modifications to existing network functions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling improved paging efficiency through a relatively simple information delivery mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If QoS information is delivered to AMF for paging policy differentiation, then paging efficiency is improved, but information delivery complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging efficiencyVSAvoidinformation delivery mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by delivering QoS information to the AMF in advance of actual paging operations. This allows the AMF to have paging policy differentiation information readily available when paging is needed, eliminating the need for complex real-time information retrieval mechanisms. The QoS information is prepared and delivered beforehand through existing network interfaces, resolving the contradiction between improved paging efficiency and information delivery complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If paging policy differentiation is implemented without QoS information, then device complexity is reduced, but service differentiation capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice differentiation capabilityVSAvoidnetwork function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing QoS information parameters (such as QoS Flow Identifier - QFI) to enable paging policy differentiation. By changing the input parameters available to the AMF from basic paging requests to include QoS parameters, the system achieves enhanced service differentiation capability. This allows the network to differentiate between various services and users based on their QoS requirements without requiring fundamentally new network functions, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3619985B1Paging policy differentiation in 5g system
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3619985B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3619985B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3619985B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of paging policy differentiation in a 5G telecommunications network is provided. A User Plane Function (UPF) receives downlink data for a target User Equipment (UE), and provides a data notification to a Session Management Function (SMF), the data notification comprising a Quality of Service (QoS) indicator, which the SMF uses to determine QoS Information (QoSI) that is sent to an Access Management Function (AMF). The AMF determines whether a paging policy selection should be performed by the AMF or by a Radio Access Node (RAN) that serves the target UE: if by the AMF, the AMF selects a paging policy based on the QoSI and sends a paging message to the RAN, which pages the UE; if by the RAN, the AMF provides paging policy information to the RAN, which selects a paging policy and pages the UE accordingly.