Profile Adaptation for 3G to 4G Roaming Protocol Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
3G roamers from home networks without 4G infrastructure face access failures when trying to use 4G visited networks due to incompatible signaling protocols and user profile differences between 3G and 4G networks, specifically between MAP/SS7 and Diameter protocols, and differences in user profiles between 3G HLR and 4G HSS.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert update location request messages from 3G to 4G signaling protocols, generate a combined user profile, and transmit it back to the visited network, enabling 3G users to access 4G networks by supporting signaling protocol conversion and user profile adaptation between 3G and 4G networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If 4G-capable handsets attempt to access 4G visited networks, then fast data services from 4G can be enjoyed, but access failure occurs due to incompatible signaling protocol between 4G visited network and 3G home network
Solution Approach 1:
A profile adaptation function is introduced as an intermediary component that receives signaling from the 4G visited network, adapts it to be compatible with the 3G home network's HLR, and forwards it appropriately. This mediator enables communication between the incompatible 4G and 3G networks without requiring changes to either the handset or the core networks, thus resolving the access failure while maintaining fast 4G data services
2Adaptability or versatility
If signaling protocol conversion between 4G Diameter and 3G MAP/SS7 is implemented, then 3G roamers can access 4G networks, but system complexity increases due to protocol conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The profile adaptation function serves as a specialized intermediary that handles protocol conversion between 4G Diameter and 3G MAP/SS7 signaling protocols. By concentrating the conversion logic in this single component, the system achieves network compatibility without distributing complexity across multiple elements, making the conversion process manageable and maintainable
Solution Approach 2:
The profile adaptation function performs multiple functions: it acts as a signaling gateway, a protocol converter, and a profile adaptation engine simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving broad adaptability across different network types
3Adaptability or versatility
If user profile information is adapted between 3G HLR and 4G HSS formats, then seamless 4G services can be provided to 3G roamers, but information loss or distortion may occur during conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The profile adaptation function creates adapted copies of user profile information when converting between 3G HLR and 4G HSS formats. Rather than directly transforming the original profiles, it generates equivalent representations in the target format, preserving all essential user information while ensuring compatibility with the destination network's profile structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to verify that profile adaptation maintains information integrity. By checking that adapted profiles contain all necessary user information and are correctly formatted for the target network, the system ensures no critical information is lost or distorted during the conversion process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a visited network having a first wireless network type, a first update location request message according to a first signaling protocol, the first message associated with a user equipment roaming at the visited network. The first message is converted to a second update location request message according to a second signaling protocol and transmitted to a home network associated with the user equipment, the home network having a second wireless network type. An update location response message according to the second protocol is received from the home network, the update location response message including a user profile associated with the second network type. A combined user profile is generated based on a user profile associated with the first network type and the user profile associated with the second network type. The combined user profile is transmitted to the visited network in an update location answer message according to the first protocol.