UE Context Retrieval With NF Set Information for Node Failover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP signaling protocols lack efficient mechanisms for handling network node failures in NF Sets, leading to additional signaling and unclear redundancy and scalability in UE context retrieval processes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating set information, such as a Set ID, in response messages to UE context requests, allowing network nodes to select alternative nodes within a set in case of failures, thereby optimizing signaling and ensuring redundancy and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If set information is not included in response messages, then the signaling protocol remains simple, but network nodes cannot efficiently handle failures and select alternative nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure handling capabilityVSAvoidsignaling protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by including set information (such as Set ID) in the response message during normal operation, before any failure occurs. This allows the NF service consumer to have advance knowledge of alternative NF instances within the same set, enabling rapid failover without additional signaling when a failure occurs. The set information is prepared and transmitted in advance, eliminating the need for complex failure detection and node selection procedures later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional set information is added to response messages, then redundancy and scalability are supported, but unnecessary signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundancy and scalability supportVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the set information with the existing response message structure, combining multiple functions into a single communication. The Set ID is included alongside the NF instance information in the same response message, allowing the NF service consumer to obtain both the current serving instance and alternative instances without requiring separate signaling exchanges. This consolidation reduces signaling overhead while providing comprehensive node information for redundancy and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250324357A1Methods, network nodes and computer readable media for supporting set information in UE context retrieval

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods (600, 700), network nodes (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300), and computer readable media for supporting set information in context retrieval. The method (600) at a first network node includes: transmitting (S601), to a second network node, a request message for a UE context of a third network node that is registered to the second network node; and receiving (S603), from the second network node, a response message at least comprising the requested UE context of the third network node and set information of a set to which the third network node belongs.