V-SMF Handover Context Update for Roaming EASDF Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue arises in roaming scenarios when determining whether to reuse or select a new V-SMF (Visited-Session Management Function) and how to handle the context update during such changes.
Innovation Solution
The changed V-SMF notifies the old V-SMF if a new EASDF (Equivalent Access Service Data Function) is selected, or updates the context if reusing the existing EASDF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new EASDF is selected during V-SMF change, then service continuity and roaming reliability are improved, but signaling overhead and network complexity increase due to notification between old and new V-SMF
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the new V-SMF notifies the old V-SMF about EASDF selection decisions. This feedback loop ensures that both V-SMF instances have consistent information about the current EASDF assignment, enabling reliable service continuity during roaming while maintaining coordinated network state management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the V-SMF change process as an intermediary mechanism to transfer EASDF selection information from the old V-SMF to the new V-SMF. This intermediary approach allows seamless handover of roaming context without requiring direct involvement of other network functions, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If context update is performed during V-SMF change, then service continuity is maintained, but processing time and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs context update actions preliminarily during the V-SMF change process itself, rather than as a separate subsequent step. By integrating the EASDF context transfer into the handover procedure, the patent maintains service continuity while minimizing additional processing time and signaling overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If V-SMF changes during roaming, then network flexibility and adaptability are improved, but context management complexity and information loss risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The notification mechanism from new V-SMF to old V-SMF serves as a feedback loop that prevents context information loss during V-SMF changes. This feedback ensures that the old V-SMF can properly release resources and that the new V-SMF has complete context information, thereby maintaining network adaptability while preventing information loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
One disclosure of the present disclosure provides a method by which V-SMF performs communication. The method comprises the steps of: wherein a handover of a V-SMF for a UE (User Equipment) is performed from a source V-SMF to the target V-SMF, receiving, from the source V-SMF, a context related to session for the UE, based on the handover; selecting a new V-EASDF (V-Edge Application Server Discovery Function), based on a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network selection) of the target V-SMF being different from a PLMN of the source V-SMF.