PDUID Provisioning for 5G ProSe Discovery Name Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G ProSe systems, there is a challenge in provisioning the ProSe Discovery UE ID (PDUID) to the 5G Direct Discovery Name Management Function (DDNMF) due to the split of ProSe Function functionality into Policy Control Function (PCF) and 5G DDNMF, with unclear methods for the DDNMF to obtain this ID.
Innovation Solution
The PCF offers a new event notification mechanism through Npcf_AMPolicyAuthorization and Npcf_EventExposure services to provide PDUID changes to the 5G DDNMF, allowing it to subscribe and unsubscribe as needed, using event identifiers like 'PDUID change' notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE uses a public identifier for proximity service discovery, then any other UE can discover the service, but the UE's identity becomes exposed to other UEs and the serving network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a serving network as an intermediary that receives service discovery requests from one UE, retrieves the public identifier from its database, and returns the identifier to the requesting UE. This mediator approach allows UEs to discover services without directly exposing their identities to each other, as all communication regarding identifier retrieval goes through the trusted serving network.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving network stores copies of UEs' public identifiers in its database, associated with the UEs' private identifiers. When service discovery is needed, the network provides a copy of the public identifier rather than the UE having to transmit its own identifier directly. This copying mechanism enables service discovery while keeping the original identifier secure within the UE and network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a UE transmits its own identifier to discover a service, then the service can be discovered, but the UE's identity is exposed to the serving network and other UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The serving network acts as a mediator that holds the mapping between private and public identifiers. Instead of UEs transmitting their private identifiers directly to each other or to the network, they request service discovery through the network, which retrieves the appropriate public identifier from its stored mappings. This eliminates the need for UEs to expose their private identifiers while still enabling service discovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensitive private identifier from the service discovery process entirely. The UE never transmits its private identifier; instead, the serving network extracts and provides only the necessary public identifier information needed for service discovery. This extraction of the sensitive element from the process preserves confidentiality while maintaining functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a UE requests service discovery from the serving network, then service information can be obtained without exposing identity, but additional signaling messages are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the service discovery request with existing signaling procedures between the UE and serving network. By integrating the identifier retrieval function into the network's existing database query capabilities and message routing infrastructure, the solution avoids creating entirely new complex signaling protocols. The serving network uses its existing message handling mechanisms to retrieve and forward identifier information.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving network's database and signaling infrastructure are designed to serve multiple functions: normal service provisioning, mobility management, and now service discovery via identifier retrieval. By making the network infrastructure multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated systems for service discovery, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the additional signaling required for identifier retrieval.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method of operating a first network function in a communication network. The method comprises initiating (102) transmission of first information towards a second network function. The first information is indicative that the first network function is to be subscribed to receive a notification of a change in a proximity services discovery user equipment identifier (PDUID) for a user equipment (UE) from the second network function. The method comprises receiving (104) the PDUID for the UE from the second network function.