Subscriber Awareness Control Plane For 5G Traffic Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 5G networks lack the ability to provide subscriber mapping and awareness, making it difficult for network operators to determine subscriber attributes and traffic flows, which is essential for managing network resources and services effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for subscriber awareness in 5G networks, incorporating a Subscriber Awareness Control Plane (SACP) module that registers as a network node, subscribes to network functions, and maps subscribers to traffic flows based on received parameters, enabling traffic management actions and location updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional 5G networks are used without subscriber awareness capability, then network infrastructure is simpler and easier to deploy, but the ability to determine subscriber attributes and traffic flows is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Subscriber Awareness Function (SAF) as an intermediary network element that mediates between the existing 5G core network functions and the need for subscriber awareness. The SAF subscribes to events from multiple network functions (AMF, SMF, UDM, PCF, NRF) and aggregates subscriber information, thereby providing subscriber awareness without requiring fundamental changes to the existing network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The SAF is designed as a multi-functional network element that performs multiple roles: it subscribes to and processes events from different network functions, maintains subscriber context information, provides subscriber awareness to external systems, and enables traffic management actions. This universal approach allows a single component to address various subscriber awareness requirements across different network scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If subscriber awareness is implemented to enable traffic management actions, then network operator control and service differentiation improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SAF acts as a mediator that simplifies traffic management operations by centralizing subscriber awareness information. Network operators can interact with the SAF to obtain subscriber context and trigger traffic management actions, rather than directly querying multiple network functions. This intermediary approach improves ease of operation while managing system complexity through centralized information aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the SAF monitors subscriber events and network state changes, then provides updated subscriber awareness information back to network operators and relevant network functions. This feedback loop enables dynamic traffic management decisions based on current subscriber status, improving operational control while maintaining systematic organization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detailed subscriber information is collected and mapped, then service customization and quality of service improvement are enabled, but information security and privacy protection become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The SAF serves as a privacy-protecting intermediary that collects and processes detailed subscriber information in a controlled manner. It maintains subscriber context locally and provides only the necessary awareness information to authorized systems, rather than exposing raw subscriber data. This intermediary approach enables service customization while reducing privacy risks by minimizing data exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by maintaining subscriber information context locally within the SAF rather than centralizing all raw data in a single repository. The SAF processes and filters information locally before providing awareness data to external systems, enabling service customization at the local level while reducing overall privacy exposure through distributed information management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for subscriber awareness for traffic flows in a computer network. The system including: a Subscriber Awareness Control Plane (SACP) module configured to register as a network node and subscribe to at least one network function on the network; at least one processing module configured to request and receive information of traffic flow parameters and subscriber parameters for the traffic flows from the at least one network function; and a subscriber awareness module configured to map subscribers to traffic flows, based on the received traffic flow parameters and subscriber parameters. The method including: registering an SACP module as a network node; subscribing to at least one network functions; receiving information of traffic flow parameters and subscriber parameters for the traffic flows; and mapping subscribers to traffic flows, based on the traffic flow parameters and subscriber parameters.