Subscriber Database Switching for Cross-Carrier 4G/5G Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems require significant infrastructure investment when different mobile communication networks, such as 4G and 5G, are operated by different carriers, necessitating mutual connections between components like AMF and MME, which is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A network switching system utilizing a subscriber database management server to manage seamless transitions between networks of different standards by identifying carrier differences and instructing network settings, allowing user terminals to automatically switch between 4G and 5G networks without direct carrier-to-carrier connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different carriers operate 4G and 5G networks separately, then each carrier can independently manage its own network infrastructure, but mutual connection between carriers requires extensive infrastructure investment and complex interface configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network switching system that acts as an intermediary between 4G and 5G networks of different carriers. This switching system manages network transitions and connections, eliminating the need for direct mutual connections between carrier networks. The switching system handles the complexity of inter-carrier communication, allowing carriers to operate independently while still enabling seamless connectivity for user terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The network switching system provides universal functionality by managing transitions between different network types (4G/5G) and different carriers. Instead of requiring separate interface configurations for each carrier pair, the switching system offers a unified solution that handles all network transitions through a single infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If direct mutual connections are established between AMF and MME of different carriers, then seamless communication is enabled, but the number of required connection interfaces increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The network switching system serves as a central intermediary that manages all connections between AMF and MME nodes. Instead of establishing direct point-to-point connections between every pair of network nodes (which would create exponential complexity), the switching system provides a centralized management point that handles all routing and connection requests, reducing the number of required interfaces while maintaining communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If carriers invest in dual 4G and 5G infrastructure, then they can provide both network standards, but the infrastructure investment and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple carrier networks into a single network switching system. Instead of requiring each carrier to maintain separate 4G and 5G infrastructures, the switching system consolidates network management functions, allowing carriers to share infrastructure resources. This reduces the total quantity of infrastructure required while maintaining support for both 4G and 5G standards.
Data Source
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AI summary
Seamless communication between mobile communication networks complying with different standards is enabled. A method including a first step group executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus, the first step group including the steps of: acquiring a position registration request from a user terminal; judging whether an identification number of a first communication carrier included in the position registration request is different from an identification number of a communication carrier associated with the user terminal, which is registered with a subscriber database; and instructing a mobility management node to set a first network of the first communication carrier when the identification number of the first communication carrier is different from the identification number of the communication carrier registered with the subscriber database.