UE Edge Service Access via PDU Session Interface Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless devices face challenges in efficiently accessing Edge services due to inadequate network traffic management, especially when roaming, as they often rely on 'best effort' connection switching and lack specific URSP rules for Edge-related traffic, leading to undue network traffic and inefficient use of local Edge servers.

Innovation Solution

A method for wireless networks to provide UE with information to identify and configure data network interfaces for Edge services, using existing DNS systems to map available Edge services to PDU Sessions, ensuring the UE connects to local networks efficiently without relying on URSP rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a UE camps on a non-3GPP network for data transmission, then data communication can be established, but the UE cannot access 5G Core Network services requiring subscription verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidaccess to 5G Core Network services
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a 5G Access Network as an intermediary between the non-3GPP network and the 5G Core Network. This access network establishes a N2 interface connection to the AMF, enabling the UE to access 5G Core Network services through the intermediary even while camping on the non-3GPP network. The intermediary translates and bridges the compatibility gap between non-3GPP access and 5G core services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a UE establishes data communication through a non-3GPP network, then connectivity is achieved, but the UE cannot send or receive SMS or perform voice calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata connectivityVSAvoidvoice and SMS service availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication services into different access paths: data communication continues to use the non-3GPP network, while voice and SMS services are routed through the 5G Access Network and 5G Core Network. This segmentation allows each service type to use the most appropriate network path, ensuring voice and SMS reliability through 5G infrastructure while maintaining data connectivity through the non-3GPP network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a UE remains in 5G NCS state without establishing PDU session, then network registration is maintained, but the UE cannot access data network or receive services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork registration statusVSAvoiddata network access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing the N2 interface connection between the 5G Access Network and the AMF before the UE needs to access data services. This preliminary setup ensures that when the UE needs to access the data network, the signaling path is already in place, allowing rapid service activation without requiring full PDU session establishment immediately upon registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4497233B1Methods and devices for enabling UE to access edge service
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4497233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4497233B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4497233B1 patent drawingFigure 6A

AI summary

Method for use in a core network, CN, of a wireless network to enable User Equipment, UE, to obtain a data network interface for using an Edge service, the method comprising: receiving (401), by a network function of the CN, a registration message from at least one Edge application server, EAS, accessible from a data network comprised in the wireless network and having said data network interface; providing (402), by the network function responsive to receiving the registration message, a network node with information identifying association of the EAS with the data network interface, wherein said information is usable by the UE for identifying the network interface for accessing the Edge service.