SMS Gateway Routing for 5G to 4G SMS Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from 4G to 5G networks poses a challenge for network service providers to support both older and new technologies simultaneously due to incompatibilities and limited 5G coverage, particularly in determining routing for mobile-terminated Short Message Service (SMS) over non-access stratum (NAS) in 5G core networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an enhanced Sh interface between the SMS-Gateway (SMS-GW) and the Unified Data Management (UDM) or Home Subscriber Server (HSS/UDM) to determine SMS routing, minimizing the need for new 5G core enhancements and optimizing SMS delivery by using existing EPS Sh (DIAMETER) interface, thereby improving efficiency and reducing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G networks use different RAN technology and core network functions than 4G networks, then 5G network performance and user experience are improved, but compatibility with legacy 4G devices and networks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SMS gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the 5G core network and legacy SMS infrastructure. The gateway translates and adapts SMS messages, enabling seamless communication between 5G networks using new core network functions and legacy 4G devices. This mediator resolves the incompatibility by handling protocol translation and routing without requiring changes to either the 5G network architecture or the legacy devices.
2Productivity
If SMS routing determination is implemented in 5G core networks with different architecture, then SMS delivery efficiency is improved, but complexity of routing determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SMS routing determination function from the complex 5G core network architecture and places it in a dedicated SMS gateway component. This separation allows the routing logic to be handled by a specialized element that can efficiently manage SMS routing without burdening the overall 5G core network architecture. The gateway maintains simplified routing tables and decision logic independent of the complex 5G network functions.
3Reliability
If new 5G core enhancements are implemented for SMS over NAS, then SMS delivery capability is improved, but system overhead and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SMS gateway is designed as a universal component that handles multiple functions: it manages SMS routing for both 5G and legacy networks, performs protocol translation, and maintains compatibility with different SMS delivery mechanisms (including SMS over NAS and traditional SMS). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate enhancements for different SMS delivery scenarios, reducing overall system overhead while maintaining full SMS delivery capability across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein provide routing determinations for MT-SMS-over-NAS in core networks that support 5G and legacy systems. A network device stores routing priority data for multiple short message service (SMS) delivery methods in the core network. The network device receives, from a first network element, a delivery request for a mobile-terminated (MT) SMS message directed to an end device and sends, in response, a query to a second network element. The query requests a short message service function (SMSF) address for an SMSF in the core network with which the end device is registered. The network device receives a response to the query and selects, based on the response and the stored routing priority data, an SMS delivery method for the MT SMS message. The network device sends, to a third network element, routing instructions for the MT SMS message based on the selected SMS delivery method.