Relay Pipeline Verification in Space-Terrestrial 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G integrated satellite-terrestrial network architecture lacks network function interworking and signaling interaction, leading to cumbersome manual configuration, increased maintenance complexity, and security risks due to information leakage and improper relay pipeline establishment between 5G terrestrial base stations and satellite systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for improving pipeline safety by pre-registering 5G terrestrial base station profiles in the 5G core network's network repository function, verifying the legitimacy of relay requests through the network expose function, and using the network repository function to ensure secure and efficient relay pipeline connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used to establish relay pipelines between 5G base stations and satellite systems, then connection establishment is possible, but system maintenance complexity increases and security risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-registering base station profiles and discovery parameters in the Network Repository Function (NRF) before relay pipeline establishment. This allows the satellite system to automatically verify and discover base stations without manual configuration, resolving the contradiction by eliminating manual setup while maintaining security through pre-validated registration information.
Solution Approach 2:
The Network Repository Function (NRF) acts as an intermediary between the 5G base station and satellite system. It stores and manages base station profiles, enabling automatic verification and discovery. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing automated, secure connection establishment without manual configuration, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while ensuring reliability.
2Ease of operation
If pre-configured information is stored in the satellite core network for each base station, then relay connection can be established, but information security is compromised due to exposure to external systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the base station profile management function from the satellite core network and places it in the 5G core network's NRF. The satellite system only stores minimal identification information and uses the NRF for verification. This extraction resolves the contradiction by enabling easy relay establishment through automated discovery while protecting sensitive base station information from exposure to external satellite systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The NRF serves as an intermediary that holds the complete base station profiles securely within the 5G core network. The satellite system interacts with the NRF only for verification purposes, not for storing or accessing detailed base station information. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by facilitating easy relay establishment through automated verification while preventing information leakage by keeping sensitive data confined to the 5G core network.
3Reliability
If the satellite system independently verifies base station legitimacy, then connection security improves, but maintenance complexity increases due to separate system management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base station verification function into the existing 5G core network's NRF, which already manages network function registrations. The satellite system leverages this existing verification mechanism rather than maintaining separate verification processes. This merging resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliable connection security through unified verification while reducing maintenance complexity by eliminating duplicate management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for improving pipeline safety of a space-terrestrial network architecture. The method pre-registers the profile of a base station in the network repository function network element of a 5G core network; after receiving a relay pipeline connection establishment request initiated by a base station, a relay satellite sends a network function verification request to the network repository function network element through a network expose function network element; after receiving a response to a network function discovery request of the base station, the network expose function network element sets the corresponding verification result of the base station according to whether there is base station registration information and responds to a verification request of the network element; and finally, the relay satellite verifies the verification result cell carried in the received response to determine the legality of the current access to the base station.