Shared Access Network Session Tunneling for Home Core Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network sharing scenarios face challenges in maintaining interconnection between shared radio access networks and participating core networks, particularly in scenarios where there is no direct connection between the shared radio access network and core networks, leading to issues with UE session establishment and interoperability between different radio access technologies.
Innovation Solution
A communication method is provided where network devices in the home network establish and maintain UE sessions, enabling interoperability and session continuity by establishing tunnels between radio access networks and user plane functions in visited networks, using tunnel information and network identifiers to facilitate seamless communication across different radio access technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If network sharing is implemented with multiple operators sharing radio access network, then network resource utilization is improved, but interconnection complexity between shared radio access network and participating core networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary component that facilitates communication between the shared radio access network and core networks. This intermediary device manages the complex interconnections and enables simplified session establishment procedures, resolving the contradiction by adding a mediating element that reduces overall system complexity despite increased network sharing
2Ease of operation
If direct connection between shared radio access network and core networks is established, then session establishment is simplified, but network flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic session establishment procedures where network devices can flexibly manage connections between shared radio access network and core networks. The system allows for adaptive connection management that maintains simplicity for individual sessions while preserving overall network flexibility and adaptability for different deployment scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous network interfaces are deployed for network sharing, then connectivity between diverse core networks is improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs network devices with multi-functional capabilities that can handle diverse core network connections through a unified interface. This universal approach allows the system to maintain connectivity with multiple core networks while reducing the complexity of individual device implementations and management procedures
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a communication method, a device, a system, a chip, a medium, and a program product. A communication method includes: A first network device in a visited network of a terminal device sends a first message to a second network device in a home network of the terminal device based on a request received from the terminal device for establishment of a session; the first network device receives a second message from the second network device, where the second message includes an accept message for establishment of the session and indication information, the accept message for establishment of the session indicates that the request for establishment of the session is accepted by a third network device in the home network, and the indication information indicates the first network device to assist in establishing a first tunnel between a radio access network device and a user plane function in the visited network for the session. In this manner, an access network sharing-based terminal device session establishment solution is provided, so that interoperability of the terminal device between a shared access network and a home core network and session continuity when the terminal device moves between visited networks can be implemented.