RIC Mapping for O-RAN UE Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN), the dynamic updating of temporary identification identifiers (RAN UE IDs) in the radio access network prevents external enrichment information providers from identifying specific user equipment (UE), hindering effective resource configuration and network performance optimization.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that establish a mapping association between the RAN UE ID and the IP address of user equipment (UE) through a base station and a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC), enabling the enrichment information provider to identify and configure UE resources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radio access network uses a temporary identification identifier (RAN UE ID) for security reasons, then security is improved, but the ability to identify specific UE externally deteriorates because the RAN UE ID is dynamically updated and cannot be obtained by external enrichment information providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism between the RAN UE ID (used within the radio access network) and the EI UE ID (used by external enrichment information providers). This mapping table, maintained by the RIC, allows external systems to identify UEs using stable EI UE IDs while the internal RAN UE IDs can change dynamically for security reasons. The intermediary layer decouples the security requirements from external identification needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the identification system into two separate domains: internal identification using RAN UE ID for security-critical operations within the radio access network, and external identification using EI UE ID for enrichment information services. This segmentation allows each domain to optimize for its specific requirements without compromising the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radio access network dynamically updates the RAN UE ID when connection changes, then adaptability is improved, but the ability to correspond to association between EI UE ID and RAN UE ID deteriorates, making it impossible to adjust UE behavior based on enrichment information status
Solution Approach 1:
The RIC maintains an intermediary mapping table that associates EI UE IDs with current RAN UE IDs. When the RAN UE ID changes due to connection updates, the RIC updates the mapping in the table while keeping the EI UE ID stable. This allows the system to adapt to connection changes while preserving the ability to trace and control specific UEs through their persistent EI UE IDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic mapping mechanism where the association between EI UE ID and RAN UE ID is updated in real-time by the RIC. The mapping table is dynamically maintained to reflect current connections, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while preserving external identifiability through stable EI UE IDs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different ID systems are used in the radio access network (RAN UE ID) and enrichment information provider (EI UE ID, IP address, IMSI, phone number), then flexibility in identification methods is improved, but the ability to establish correspondence between IDs deteriorates due to lack of common rules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the RIC and its mapping table as an intermediary layer between the RAN UE ID system and the EI UE ID system. This intermediary handles the complexity of establishing correspondences between different ID types (RAN UE ID, IP address, IMSI, phone number) by maintaining a centralized mapping table. External systems can use their preferred EI UE ID format while the RIC translates to the appropriate RAN UE ID for network operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIC's mapping table serves multiple functions: it maps RAN UE ID to various EI UE ID formats (IP address, IMSI, phone number), enables external enrichment information providers to identify UEs, and maintains the associations necessary for cross-domain UE identification. This universal mapping mechanism handles diverse identification requirements through a single coordinated system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method (2, 4) for identifying a user equipment (UE) (11, 15) includes: generating a RAN UE ID corresponding to the LTE (11, 15) through a base station (12, 32); when the LTE (11, 15) submits a register request with an enrichment information provider (E), receiving a packet of the UE (11, 15) through the base station (12, 32), obtaining the IP address corresponding to the UE (11, 15) based on the packet and transmitting the packet to a core network (14, 34); transmitting the IP address and the RAN UE ID corresponding to the UE (11, 15) to a RIC (13, 33) through the base station (12, 32); and establishing a mapping association associated with the IP address and the RAN UE ID corresponding to the UE (11, 15) in a mapping table through the RIC (13, 33).