UE Identifier Mapping for Synchronized O-RAN Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The update of user equipment (UE) identity (UEID) in network devices is not synchronized when the network state of the UE changes, leading to unavailable relevant information in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A communication method involving a core network device that assigns and updates UE identifiers using a mapping relationship between identifiers such as International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI), Globally Unique Temporary UE Identifier (GUTI), and Serving-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier (S-TMSI), ensuring security by not associating UEID with IMSI/SUCI/SUPI, thus maintaining synchronized updates across network devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UE identity is updated in network devices when network state changes, then UE identification accuracy is improved, but information synchronization between devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The core network device performs preliminary actions by maintaining a mapping relationship between the first identifier (original UE identity) and second identifier (new UE identity) before actual identity updates occur. This allows the system to proactively prepare for identity changes and ensure synchronized updates across all network devices, preventing information inconsistency during state transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping relationship mechanism that acts as a bridge between the core network device and access network devices. This mapping relationship serves as a mediator that enables consistent UE identification across different network devices by translating between old and new identifiers, ensuring that all devices can correctly identify the UE even during identity transitions
2Adaptability or versatility
If UEID is associated with IMSI/SUCI/SUPI for identification, then identification capability is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security-sensitive association between UEID and IMSI/SUCI/SUPI by maintaining the mapping relationship in the core network device without exposing it to access network devices. This separation removes the harmful link that could compromise security while preserving the identification capability through the intermediary mapping mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the identification function into two parts: the core network device maintains the secure mapping relationship between identifiers, while access network devices only handle the second identifier. This segmentation isolates the security-critical information in the core network while allowing flexible identification at the access level, achieving both security and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communication by a core network device includes: receiving a message transmitted by a first access network device, the message including a first identifier of a user equipment (UE), assigning to the UE a second identifier corresponding to the first identifier, and transmitting a first request message to the first access network device, the first request message including the second identifier for using the second identifier as an identifier of the UE by the first access network device to communicate with a network device in an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN).