SEPP N32 Interface Usage Purpose Parameter

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the 5G network, the N32 interface is currently limited to Roaming applications, making it difficult for Security Edge Protection Proxies (SEPPs) to determine whether a connection is possible for applications other than Roaming, as there is no parameter to check the application usage.

Innovation Solution

A network node and communication method that include a reception section to receive a control signal indicating the requested application, a control section to determine if the connection is permitted, and a transmission section to send a result signal, using a new attribute 'usagePurpose' in SecNegotiationReqData and SecNegotiationRspData to explicitly designate the application, allowing SEPPs to determine connection possibility for applications beyond Roaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the N32 interface is limited to Roaming applications only, then the connection determination process is simple, but the adaptability for other applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication support capabilityVSAvoidconnection determination process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter 'usagePurpose' to the N32 interface signaling protocol. This parameter enables SEPPs to identify and differentiate between Roaming and Interconnect applications, allowing the interface to support multiple applications while maintaining a structured determination process through predefined parameter values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If no application checking parameter is provided, then the signaling protocol remains simple, but the ability to determine connection possibility for non-Roaming applications is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection determination accuracyVSAvoidapplication type information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The 'usagePurpose' parameter acts as an intermediary element that carries application type information between SEPPs. This intermediary parameter enables reliable connection determination by explicitly conveying whether the requested application is Roaming or Interconnect, preventing information loss while maintaining protocol simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the N32 interface supports multiple applications, then the network flexibility increases, but the complexity of determining connection possibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication usage flexibilityVSAvoidSEPP connection determination operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing the 'usagePurpose' parameter with predefined values (e.g., Roaming, Interconnect), the patent enables multiple application support while simplifying the SEPP's determination operation. The SEPP只需 checks the parameter value against predefined conditions rather than implementing complex decision logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240340978A1Network node, and communication method

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A network node that transfers a signal between a service-user-side network node and a service-provider-side network node includes: a reception section that receives a first control signal including information indicating an application of connection requested by the service-user-side network node; a control section that determines whether the connection for the application is permitted; and a transmission section that transmits a second control signal including information indicating a result of the determination to the service-user-side network node.