SMF Notification for Unsupported Access Network Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current procedures fail to provide clear notification when access network information, such as time zone, is not available or supported, leading to incorrect assumptions and unexpected behavior in the network.
Innovation Solution
The Session Management Function (SMF) notifies the Policy Control Function (PCF) and subsequently the Application Function (AF) when the Access Network (AN) does not support reporting of requested information, using a mechanism to indicate the lack of support through a UeCampingRep data structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the SMF requests AN information from the AN, then the AF can receive location and timezone information, but the AF receives incorrect or unexpected information when the AN does not support reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF implements a feedback mechanism by notifying the PCF when the AN does not support reporting of requested AN information. This feedback loop ensures that the AF receives accurate information about information availability, preventing incorrect assumptions and ensuring proper network behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCF acts as an intermediary between the SMF and the AF. When the SMF determines that the AN does not support reporting, it notifies the PCF, which then forwards this information to the AF. This intermediary mechanism ensures clear communication about information availability without requiring direct interaction between the SMF and AF.
2Productivity
If the network provides location information to the AF, then charging and legal obligations can be fulfilled, but the AF makes incorrect assumptions when information is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The network proactively prevents incorrect assumptions by the AF through preliminary notification. When the SMF determines that the AN does not support reporting, it sends a notification to the PCF before the AF can make incorrect assumptions. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the AF is informed in advance about information unavailability, allowing proper handling of charging and legal obligation requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If the SMF acquires AN information from the AN, then complete information is provided to the AF, but unnecessary processing occurs when the AN does not support reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF performs a preliminary check to determine whether the AN supports reporting of the requested AN information before attempting to acquire the information. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary processing operations when the AN does not support reporting, while ensuring that complete information is acquired and provided to the AF when the AN does support reporting.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method performed by a Session Management Function (SMF) for providing Access Network (AN) are disclosed. In some embodiments the method comprises receiving from a Policy Control Function (PCF) a request for AN information. The method also includes determining whether the AN does not support reporting of the requested AN information. The method also includes upon determining that the AN does not support reporting of the requested AN information, sending, to the PCF, a notification that the AN does not support reporting of the requested AN information. The method also includes upon determining that the AN does support reporting of the requested AN information: acquiring the requested AN information and sending the requested AN information to the PCF.