UE Session Tunnel Coordination in Shared Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining interconnection between a shared radio access network and participating core networks in network sharing scenarios, particularly in cases where there is no direct connection between the shared radio access network and core networks, is addressed by providing an access network sharing-based UE session establishment solution.
Innovation Solution
A communication method involving network devices in the visited and home networks to establish and maintain UE sessions, ensuring interoperability and session continuity by using tunnel information and network elements to facilitate connections between different radio access technologies and core networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shared radio access network connects to multiple core networks directly, then interconnection reliability is improved, but device complexity and network configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a home network device as an intermediary between the visited network and the terminal device. This mediator handles session establishment and tunnel management, simplifying the architecture by centralizing control functions in the home network while maintaining reliable connections across multiple core networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session establishment process into distinct phases: initial session setup between visited network and home network, tunnel establishment between home network and terminal device, and separate data transmission paths. This segmentation allows each component to be configured and managed independently, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If direct connections are established between shared radio access network and core networks, then session continuity is improved, but the number of network interfaces and connection management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The home network device serves as a mediator that maintains session continuity by managing tunnel endpoints and coordinating communication between the visited network and terminal device. This approach ensures continuous sessions without requiring direct connections between the shared radio access network and multiple core networks, thereby reducing the number of network interfaces needed.
3Productivity
If tunnel establishment is automated between radio access network device and user plane function, then establishment speed is improved, but control complexity and security management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the home network device monitors tunnel establishment status and dynamically adjusts configuration parameters. The system receives feedback about session requirements and tunnel performance, automatically optimizing tunnel parameters while maintaining security policies, thus achieving fast automated establishment without excessive control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method that may include sending, by a first network device in a visited network of a terminal device, a first message to a second network device in a home network of the terminal device based on a request for establishment of a session from the terminal device. The first message includes the request. Receiving, by the first network device, a second message from the second network device. The second message includes an accept message for establishment of the session and indication information, the accept message is configured to indicate that the request is accepted by a third network device in the home network, and the indication information is configured to indicate the first network device to assist in establishing a first tunnel between a radio access network device and a user plane function in the visited network for the session.