User Plane Connection Network Element Simplifies 5G Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 4G networks, the complexity of communication between terminal devices and network functions through user plane connections increases technical complexity on both sides, requiring multiple application interfaces, different communication protocols, and security mechanisms, which hinders efficient support for new service functions.
Innovation Solution
A user plane connection network element (UCF) is introduced to simplify communication by receiving messages from terminal devices, determining the appropriate network function, and establishing connections, thereby reducing the need for multiple interfaces and protocols on the terminal device and network function sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application interfaces and communication protocols are used for terminal device to network function communication through user plane connection, then service functionality is enhanced, but technical complexity on terminal device and network function sides increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal application interface (N10) and a common communication protocol that can be used by terminal devices to communicate with multiple different network functions (LMF, PSCF, BMF, etc.) through the user plane connection. This single interface replaces the need for multiple separate interfaces and protocols, thereby enhancing service functionality while reducing technical complexity on both terminal device and network function sides.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application interfaces are defined for terminal device to network function communication, then more network functions can be accessed, but implementation complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a universal application interface N10 that enables terminal devices to access multiple network functions (location management function LMF, proximity service communication function PSCF, broadcast management function BMF, etc.) through a single interface. This eliminates the need to implement multiple separate interfaces and their associated protocols, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining the ability to access diverse network functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols and security mechanisms are implemented for each network function, then service-specific requirements are met, but processing overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common communication protocol and unified security mechanism that can be applied across multiple network functions through the N10 interface. This universal approach eliminates the need to implement and process different protocols and security mechanisms for each network function, thereby reducing processing overhead and improving efficiency while still supporting service-specific requirements through the flexibility of the user plane connection architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment provides a communication method and an apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by a UCF, a first message from a terminal device, where the first message includes first information and an identifier of the terminal device; learning, by the UCF, of a first service type based on the first message; learning, by the UCF based on the service type and the identifier of the terminal device, of a first NF that serves the terminal device; and sending, by the UCF, the first information to the first NF, where the first information is information that the terminal device sends to the first NF.