5G Core–Access Network Communication Through Service Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The legacy point-to-point interface between the Access Network (AN) and Core Network (CN) in 5G systems is not cloud-friendly, limits scalability and flexibility, causes AMF processing overhead, and introduces signaling latency and complexity, especially for non-UE specific signaling interactions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a service-based architecture (SBA) that allows direct or indirect communication between CN and AN, bypassing the AMF for non-UE specific signaling, and utilizing a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) or new CN NFs to fan-out requests to multiple AN nodes based on flexible identifiers like TAI and Emergency Area IDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a legacy point-to-point interface with 3GPP specific protocol is used between AN and CN, then the interface provides dedicated functionality for mobile communication, but it causes AMF processing overhead and signaling latency for non-UE specific signaling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated functionalityVSAvoidsignaling latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) as an intermediary component that receives non-UE specific signaling requests from the AN and forwards them to the appropriate CN network functions. This mediator bypasses the AMF for these specific signaling types, eliminating the processing overhead and latency that would otherwise occur when all signaling must traverse the AMF, while still maintaining the reliability of dedicated functionality through protocol specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all communications between CN NF and AN go through the AMF, then the AMF maintains centralized control and mobility management, but it creates processing overhead and coupling with features for which AMF involvement is unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidAMF implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signaling paths by distinguishing between UE-specific signaling (which continues to route through the AMF for centralized control) and non-UE specific signaling (which routes directly between AN and appropriate CN functions via the SCP). This segmentation allows the AMF to maintain centralized control and mobility management for UE-specific operations while eliminating unnecessary processing overhead and coupling for non-UE specific features, thereby reducing AMF implementation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed point-to-point interface is used, then the interface provides stable connectivity, but it does not allow easy and fast roll-out of new functionalities and limits scalability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface stabilityVSAvoidfunctional roll-out flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic service-based architecture where the AN can discover and interact with multiple CN network functions based on service requirements. The service-based interface allows the network to dynamically add, remove, or modify CN functions without changing the fundamental AN-CN connectivity. This enables fast roll-out of new functionalities while maintaining stable connectivity through standardized service interfaces and registration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If 3GPP specific protocol is used for AN-CN communication, then the protocol provides optimized mobile communication support, but it is not cloud-friendly and increases deployment complexity in cloud-based environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile communication supportVSAvoiddeployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a service-based interface that uses standardized protocols (such as HTTP/REST or Service Based Interface protocols) which are cloud-friendly and can be deployed in cloud-based environments. This universal interface layer maintains compatibility with 3GPP requirements while enabling easy deployment, scaling, and management in cloud infrastructure. The service-based approach allows the same interface to support multiple functions and network functions, reducing deployment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4214866B1Communication between core network and access network

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

It is provided a method comprising: inquiring a repository function to provide identifications of all producers registered in the repository function and satisfying a query condition; receiving or obtaining the identifications of all the producers registered in the repository function and satisfying the query condition upon the inquiring; requesting, using the received or obtained identifications, each of the producers to provide a service.