UDM-Triggered Initial Registration for AKMA Routing Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication networks, particularly in 5G and beyond, the update of a routing indicator (RID) leads to challenges in maintaining consistent authentication and key management (AKMA) due to changes in the A-KID, causing difficulties in positioning the AKMA anchor function (AAnF) and unified data management (UDM), which affects the AKMA service's reliability and continuity.

Innovation Solution

A communication method involving a UDM network element that acquires AKMA service data and, upon detecting routing indicator updates, sends initial registration request information to an AMF network element, triggering the terminal to perform initial registration, ensuring consistent authentication context and key management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If routing indicator is updated, then network routing flexibility is improved, but authentication context consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidauthentication context consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UDM proactively detects routing indicator updates and preemptively triggers initial registration procedures before authentication context inconsistencies occur. By detecting the routing indicator change and immediately initiating the registration process with the AMF, the system prevents authentication failures before they can impact service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the UDM monitors routing indicator changes and uses this information to trigger appropriate authentication procedures. The UDM receives feedback about routing updates and automatically initiates the necessary registration processes to maintain authentication consistency across network changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If initial registration is triggered for every parameter update, then authentication consistency is improved, but service interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication consistencyVSAvoidservice interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different handling strategies for different parameter update scenarios. Instead of uniformly triggering initial registration for all parameter changes, the UDM selectively initiates registration only when routing indicator updates occur and AKMA service data indicates the terminal subscribes to AKMA service. This localized approach maintains authentication consistency where needed while avoiding unnecessary interruptions elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors specific parameter changes (routing indicator) that have impact on authentication context. By focusing on parameter changes that actually affect authentication consistency rather than all possible parameter updates, the system minimizes unnecessary registration triggers and reduces service interruption time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If UDM monitors all parameter updates, then authentication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidUDM monitoring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and focuses monitoring on the specific parameter (routing indicator) that has the most significant impact on authentication context consistency. Rather than monitoring all possible terminal parameters, the UDM selectively monitors routing indicator changes that trigger authentication procedures, simplifying the monitoring mechanism while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UDM leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities to handle routing indicator monitoring and authentication management. By utilizing the UDM's existing data management and service provisioning functions, the system avoids adding separate dedicated monitoring components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4723697A1Communication methods, communication device, storage medium and computer program product
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ZTE CORP
  • EP4723697A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4723697A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4723697A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided in the present disclosure are communication methods, a communication device, a storage medium and a computer program product. A method, which is applied to a unified data management (UDM) network element, includes: in response to a parameter updating of a terminal, acquiring authentication and key management for application (AKMA) service data and an updating reason for a parameter of the terminal; and in response to the AKMA service data indicating that the terminal subscribes to an AKMA service, and the updating reason for the parameter of the terminal being routing indicator updating, sending initial registration request information for the terminal to an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the initial registration request information is used to request the terminal to perform initial registration.