Service Profile Handling via UDM and AMF Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subscription profile management in next-generation networks, particularly during roaming scenarios, faces inefficiencies due to increased signaling load and response times caused by the introduction of new interfaces like NG10, which complicates the handling of service profiles across different session management functions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for handling service profile data that involves determining and transmitting data at the user data management function to select a session management function at the home network, obtaining and executing service profiles based on dynamic policies, and downloading quality of service settings, thereby optimizing profile management and reducing signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all profile information is sent from HSS/NG-UDM in the home PLMN toward the serving node in the visited PLMN during roaming, then the service profile is available to the serving node, but the signaling load and response times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UDM determine and transmit service profile data to the AMF during the attach procedure, before actual service execution. This pre-positioning of data ensures that when service profile retrieval is needed during roaming, the information is already available at the AMF, eliminating the need for additional signaling exchanges between the visited PLMN and home PLMN.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service profile handling by separating the data determination function (at UDM) from the data transmission function (to AMF). This segmentation allows the service profile data to be prepared and transmitted independently during attach, rather than being retrieved on-demand during service execution, thereby reducing signaling load during actual service operations.
2Productivity
If new interfaces like NG10 are introduced to optimize profile management, then direct profile transmission between UDM and SMF is enabled, but the device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the AMF as an intermediary entity that receives service profile data from the UDM during attach and stores it locally. This intermediary approach allows the SMF to obtain service profile information without requiring a direct NG10 interface to the UDM, thereby simplifying the overall network architecture while maintaining efficient profile management.
Solution Approach 2:
By having the UDM determine and transmit service profile data to the AMF in advance during the attach procedure, the patent eliminates the need for complex real-time interactions between SMF and UDM during service execution. This preliminary data preparation simplifies the interface requirements and reduces signaling overhead during actual service operations.
3Reliability
If service profile data is transmitted during attach to the AMF, then the data is available for home SMF selection, but additional signaling exchanges are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the service profile data transmission with the existing attach procedure. By determining and transmitting the service profile data set during attach (which is already a necessary signaling exchange), the patent ensures data availability for home SMF selection without requiring separate additional signaling exchanges. The service profile data is bundled into the existing attach signaling flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention faces the issue of introducing a new direct interface NG10, between a unified data management function (UDM) and a session management function (SMF) in a HPLMN, i.e. a home SMF, in order to obtain a service profile for a UE, at the home SMF from the UDM, and provides for the home SMF obtaining such service profile from a policy control function (PCF) via the existing interface NG7.