Service-Based Core Network Architecture for 4G to 5G Aerial Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and optimizing the interaction between wireless devices and base stations, particularly in supporting multiple technologies and releases, and ensuring seamless service provision across different network slices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a service-based architecture within the core network, which enables network functions to offer services to each other and to other elements of the communication network via interfaces, facilitating dynamic service discovery and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional monolithic core network architecture is used, then network stability is maintained, but flexibility and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The core network is divided into multiple independent network functions (NFs) that can be individually deployed, managed, and scaled. Each NF performs a specific function (e.g., authentication, routing, billing) and communicates through standardized interfaces, enabling flexible reconfiguration and adaptation to different service requirements without redesigning the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The service-based architecture implements universal service interfaces that allow different network functions to interact through common protocols and data models. This enables a single NF to serve multiple purposes and allows services to be composed from different NFs in various combinations, enhancing versatility while maintaining architectural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless technologies and releases are supported, then device compatibility is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture implements universal service interfaces and common data models that work across different wireless technologies (5G, 4G, Wi-Fi) and releases. Network functions communicate through technology-agnostic interfaces, allowing the same core network infrastructure to support multiple access technologies and device types without requiring technology-specific management procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The service-based architecture introduces intermediary service interfaces and abstraction layers that translate between different technology-specific protocols and the unified core network functions. This mediator layer handles the complexity of multi-technology support while presenting a simplified management interface to operators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented, then service differentiation is improved, but service discovery and management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture implements feedback mechanisms where network functions publish their available services and capabilities through standardized service registries. Other network functions and service management systems can query these registries to discover available services, and the system provides feedback on service status, capacity, and performance metrics to enable dynamic service composition and slicing management.
Solution Approach 2:
Network functions automatically register their services, capabilities, and interfaces with the service management system without manual configuration. The architecture enables self-discovery where network functions autonomously identify and compose services from available NFs, reducing the burden on operators for service discovery and management while maintaining detailed service differentiation for various network slices.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility management entity (MME) receives, from a first base station of a fourth generation (4G) network, a handover request for a handover of a wireless device to a second base station of a fifth generation (5G) network. The MME selects a session management controller supporting an aerial service and interworking between the 4G network and the 5G network. The MME receives, from the session management controller, a message indicating a creation of a session of the wireless device with the second base station of the 5G network. The message comprises an indication of an authentication and/or authorization (AA) status of the aerial service of the wireless device. Based on the handover request, the MME sends, to an access and mobility management function (AMF) of the 5G network, the indication of the AA status of the aerial service of the wireless device.