5G Remote PLMN Capability Sharing via Delegated SCP Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communication networks face challenges in service discovery and routing between different PLMNs due to mismatched deployment models, leading to delayed service requests and failures, as visitor networks lack awareness of home network capabilities and prefer to handle discovery internally, which introduces delays and inconsistent policies.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where a first PLMN delegates service discovery and routing to a second PLMN by sending capability details, allowing the remote SCP to determine producer NFs, and handles alternate routing attempts if initial attempts fail, while maintaining control over sensitive information and policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the visitor network handles service discovery and routing internally, then service discovery can be performed, but service request routing is delayed and success rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Service Communications Proxy (SCP) as an intermediary component that mediates between the visitor network function and the home network. The SCP handles service discovery and routing decisions, enabling the visitor network to leverage home network capabilities while maintaining control over sensitive information. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling successful routing without requiring the visitor network to handle all discovery internally, thus reducing delays while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of information
If the home network performs discovery and selection of producer NFs, then sensitive information is protected and consistent policies are applied, but service request routing may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the home network pre-register and publish service capability information in the Service Name Repository (SNR) before actual service requests occur. When a visitor network needs to discover services, the SCP can quickly query the pre-populated SNR rather than performing complex discovery in real-time. This preliminary preparation protects sensitive information while significantly reducing the time required for service discovery and selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the visitor network is unaware of home network deployment model, then network independence is maintained, but service requests may fail due to mismatched capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The SCP acts as an adapter or intermediary that translates between different network deployment models. The visitor network SCP communicates with the home network SCP, which understands the home network's specific deployment model (3GPP Model B, C, or D). This intermediary layer enables the visitor network to maintain its independence while ensuring compatible service requests by translating capabilities and requirements between different network models.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to systems and methods for remote mobile network capability sharing, and delegation of service discovery and selection to the remote mobile network, such as from a visited or roaming network to a home network. A first public land mobile network (PLMN) system may send, via a local network repository function (NRF), a request for capability details of a second PLMN, the capability details including an ability of the second PLMN to handle delegated service discovery and selection. The first PLMN may receive the capability details, and send, from the first PLMN to the second PLMN, a delegated discovery and network function (NF) selection request directing a service communications proxy (SCP) of the second PLMN to determine a producer NF of the second PLMN to process a service request from a consumer NF of the first PLMN.