Patent Application
20250184376
Mobile communication technologies are moving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. The Fifth-Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) architecture is based on a Service-Based Architecture (SBA), an architectural approach that enables 5G network functionality to become more granular and decoupled. SBA allows individual services to be updated independently with minimal impact to other services, thereby providing vendor independence, reduction in deployment time, and enhanced operational efficiencies.
The technologies described herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from studying the Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments or implementations describing aspects of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and the same references can indicate similar elements. While the drawings depict various implementations for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations can be employed without departing from the principles of the present technologies. Accordingly, while specific implementations are shown in the drawings, the technology is amenable to various modifications.
Section headings are used in the present document only to improve readability and do not limit scope of the disclosed embodiments and techniques in each section to only that section. Certain features are described using the example of Fifth Generation (5G) wireless protocol. However, applicability of the disclosed techniques is not limited to only 5G wireless systems.
Systems, methods, and devices for extending the Service Based Architecture to Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) are disclosed so as to enable the discovery and selection of IMS nodes using a uniform interface and mechanism as non-IMS functions in the 5G network, thereby reducing complexity in signaling, monitoring, and deployment of the network elements.
The 5G Service Based Architecture was introduced in Release 15 of the Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.
In cellular networks, the Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is an architectural framework for delivering IP multimedia services. The IMS uses the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) protocols, e.g., the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), for signaling transmissions.
For backward compatibility for earlier deployments of the IMS and 5GC functions, the 5G System architecture supports N5 interface and the Rx interface between the Policy Control Function (PCF) and P-CSCF to enable IMS service. In Release 16 of the 3GPP standard, the IMS was enhanced to utilize some service-based interfaces (e.g., toward P-CSCF, PCF, and/or HSS). Currently, P-CSCF selection functionality can be used by the Session Management Function (SMF) to select the P-CSCF for an IMS Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session of the User Equipment (UE). The SMF can utilize the NRF to discover the P-CSCF. However, other IMS elements, such as I/S-CSCF, Telephony Application Sever (TAS), Rich Communication Service (RCS), Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF), and/or Interconnect Border Control Function (IBCF) etc., utilize the IMS Domain Name Server (DNS) to resolve the next hop address.
DNS based discovery and selection process as shown in
After successful registration, the IMS node can send updates to NRF to communicate changes in its profile. The updates can be transmitted periodically or be triggered by preconfigured/predefined events. The updates are used to communicate changes in status or capabilities for the network to better handle the offered traffic to the IMS node. For example, the network can adapt and adjust the load of IMS nodes upon detecting that selected IMS nodes are heavily loaded or lightly loaded.
In some embodiments, the NRF can optionally subscribe to the IMS node for information regarding the node (e.g., the load status of the IMS node).
When an IMS Application Server requires a corresponding IMS node to perform operations for a particular service, the IMS AS requests service discovery/selection by the NRF.
For example, the discovery request can include the capabilities for the particular IMS service. In some embodiments, the NRF performs IMS node discovery and the IMS AS performs IMS node selection. The NRF can respond with a list of IMS nodes that can meet the required service capabilities, along with the other NRF parameters (e.g., location, priority, load, etc.). The IMS AS can select an appropriate IMS node based on properties and/or characteristics of the IMS nodes, such as IP addresses, IMS regions, Non-Public Network Identifiers, PLMN identifiers, roaming status, Visited PLMN address(es), UE International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), UE IMSI, UE Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), HSS Group ID, required identifier(s) for network slice or slices. In some embodiments, the NRF can perform both IMS node discovery and selection. The NRF can respond with a specific IMS node selected from a list of IMS nodes that satisfy the service requirements.
Depending on IMS AS implementation the AS can request each service individually, or a particular set together (e.g., a TAS supporting voice services can request all of the voice services the first time it needs a service for a particular user, or request each voice service individually when it needs to provide a particular service for a user).
One category of IMS services is media services (e.g., Media Resource Function, MRF). Examples of media services include, but are not limited to, at least one of: voice announcements, voice conferencing, voice codec adaptation, video codec adaptation, video conferencing, and so on. Other categories of IMS services include but are not limited to Text Messaging (including SMS interworking), Rich Communications Suite (RCS), end-to-end (or peer-to-peer) user data channels, IMS Gaming Services, IMS Alternate/Augmented Reality, Real-Time Text (RTT), and automated language translation services.
For example, the network node comprises a Media Resource Function (MRF). The capability information indicates support for at least one of: a voice announcement service, a voice conferencing service, a voice codec adaptation service, a video codec adaptation service, a video conference service. The second service-based network interface can be named according to the service type (e.g., an Nmrf interface).
One example of changes that can be made to the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 23.228 is shown in Table 1 below.
Another example of changes (in bold and underlined texts) that can be made to the 3GPP TS 23.502 is shown in Table 2 below.
The NANs of a network 1000 formed by the network 1000 also include wireless devices 1004-1 through 1004-7 (referred to individually as “wireless device 1004” or collectively as “wireless devices 1004”) and a core network 1006. The wireless devices 1004-1 through 1004-7 can correspond to or include network 1000 entities capable of communication using various connectivity standards. For example, a 5G communication channel can use millimeter wave (mmW) access frequencies of 28 GHz or more. In some implementations, the wireless device 1004 can operatively couple to a base station 1002 over a long-term evolution/long-term evolution-advanced (LTE/LTE-A) communication channel, which is referred to as a 4G communication channel.
The core network 1006 provides, manages, and controls security services, user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The base stations 1002 interface with the core network 1006 through a first set of backhaul links (e.g., S1 interfaces) and can perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the wireless devices 1004 or can operate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). In some examples, the base stations 1002 can communicate with each other, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network 1006), over a second set of backhaul links 1010-1 through 1010-3 (e.g., X1 interfaces), which can be wired or wireless communication links.
The base stations 1002 can wirelessly communicate with the wireless devices 1004 via one or more base station antennas. The cell sites can provide communication coverage for geographic coverage areas 1012-1 through 1012-4 (also referred to individually as “coverage area 1012” or collectively as “coverage areas 1012”). The geographic coverage area 1012 for a base station 1002 can be divided into sectors making up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The network 1000 can include base stations of different types (e.g., macro and/or small cell base stations). In some implementations, there can be overlapping geographic coverage areas 1012 for different service environments (e.g., Internet-of-Things (IoT), mobile broadband (MBB), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-everything (M2X), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), machine-type communication (MTC), etc.).
The network 1000 can include a 5G network 1000 and/or an LTE/LTE-A or other network. In an LTE/LTE-A network, the term eNB is used to describe the base stations 1002, and in 5G new radio (NR) networks, the term gNBs is used to describe the base stations 1002 that can include mmW communications. The network 1000 can thus form a heterogeneous network 1000 in which different types of base stations provide coverage for various geographic regions. For example, each base station 1002 can provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, and/or other types of cells. As used herein, the term “cell” can relate to a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with the base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.
A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and can allow access by wireless devices that have service subscriptions with a wireless network 1000 service provider. As indicated earlier, a small cell is a lower-powered base station, as compared to a macro cell, and can operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Examples of small cells include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells. In general, a pico cell can cover a relatively smaller geographic area and can allow unrestricted access by wireless devices that have service subscriptions with the network 1000 provider. A femto cell covers a relatively smaller geographic area (e.g., a home) and can provide restricted access by wireless devices having an association with the femto unit (e.g., wireless devices in a closed subscriber group (CSG), wireless devices for users in the home). A base station can support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells (e.g., component carriers). All fixed transceivers noted herein that can provide access to the network 1000 are NANs, including small cells.
The communication networks that accommodate various disclosed examples can be packet-based networks that operate according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer then performs packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer can perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use Hybrid ARQ (HARQ) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer, to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer provides establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a wireless device 1004 and the base stations 1002 or core network 1006 supporting radio bearers for the user plane data. At the Physical (PHY) layer, the transport channels are mapped to physical channels.
Wireless devices can be integrated with or embedded in other devices. As illustrated, the wireless devices 1004 are distributed throughout the system 1000, where each wireless device 1004 can be stationary or mobile. For example, wireless devices can include handheld mobile devices 1004-1 and 1004-2 (e.g., smartphones, portable hotspots, tablets, etc.); laptops 1004-3; wearables 1004-4; drones 1004-5; vehicles with wireless connectivity 1004-6; head-mounted displays with wireless augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) connectivity 1004-7; portable gaming consoles; wireless routers, gateways, modems, and other fixed-wireless access devices; wirelessly connected sensors that provides data to a remote server over a network; IoT devices such as wirelessly connected smart home appliances, etc.
A wireless device (e.g., wireless devices 1004-1, 1004-2, 1004-3, 1004-4, 1004-5, 1004-6, and 1004-7) can be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a customer premise equipment (CPE), a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a handheld mobile device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, terminal equipment, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a mobile client, a client, or the like.
A wireless device can communicate with various types of base stations and network 1000 equipment at the edge of a network 1000 including macro eNBs/gNBs, small cell eNBs/gNBs, relay base stations, and the like. A wireless device can also communicate with other wireless devices either within or outside the same coverage area of a base station via device-to-device (D2D) communications.
The communication links 1014-1 through 1014-9 (also referred to individually as “communication link 1014” or collectively as “communication links 1014”) shown in network 1000 include uplink (UL) transmissions from a wireless device 1004 to a base station 1002, and/or downlink (DL) transmissions from a base station 1002 to a wireless device 1004. The downlink transmissions can also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions can also be called reverse link transmissions. Each communication link 1014 includes one or more carriers, where each carrier can be a signal composed of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies) modulated according to the various radio technologies. Each modulated signal can be sent on a different sub-carrier and carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels), overhead information, user data, etc. The communication links 1014 can transmit bidirectional communications using frequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or Time division duplex (TDD) operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). In some implementations, the communication links 1014 include LTE and/or mmW communication links.
In some implementations of the network 1000, the base stations 1002 and/or the wireless devices 1004 include multiple antennas for employing antenna diversity schemes to improve communication quality and reliability between base stations 1002 and wireless devices 1004. Additionally or alternatively, the base stations 1002 and/or the wireless devices 1004 can employ multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) techniques that can take advantage of multi-path environments to transmit multiple spatial layers carrying the same or different coded data.
The computer system 1100 can take any suitable physical form. For example, the computing system 1100 can share a similar architecture as that of a server computer, personal computer (PC), tablet computer, mobile telephone, game console, music player, wearable electronic device, network-connected (“smart”) device (e.g., a television or home assistant device), AR/VR systems (e.g., head-mounted display), or any electronic device capable of executing a set of instructions that specify action(s) to be taken by the computing system 1100. In some implementation, the computer system 1100 can be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) or a distributed system such as a mesh of computer systems or include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems 1100 can perform operations in real-time, near real-time, or in batch mode.
The network interface device 1112 enables the computing system 1100 to mediate data in a network 1114 with an entity that is external to the computing system 1100 through any communication protocol supported by the computing system 1100 and the external entity. Examples of the network interface device 1112 include a network adaptor card, a wireless network interface card, a router, an access point, a wireless router, a switch, a multilayer switch, a protocol converter, a gateway, a bridge, bridge router, a hub, a digital media receiver, and/or a repeater, as well as all wireless elements noted herein.
The memory (e.g., main memory 1106, non-volatile memory 1110, machine-readable medium 1126) can be local, remote, or distributed. Although shown as a single medium, the machine-readable medium 1126 can include multiple media (e.g., a centralized/distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store one or more sets of instructions 1128. The machine-readable (storage) medium 1126 can include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the computing system 1100. The machine-readable medium 1126 can be non-transitory or comprise a non-transitory device. In this context, a non-transitory storage medium can include a device that is tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form, although the device can change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this change in state.
Although implementations have been described in the context of fully functioning computing devices, the various examples are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms. Examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or computer-readable media include recordable-type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices 1110, removable flash memory, hard disk drives, optical disks, and transmission-type media such as digital and analog communication links.
In general, the routines executed to implement examples herein can be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module, or sequence of instructions (collectively referred to as “computer programs”). The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions (e.g., instructions 1104, 1108, 1128) set at various times in various memory and storage devices in computing device(s). When read and executed by the processor 1102, the instruction(s) cause the computing system 1100 to perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects of the disclosure.
It is thus appreciated that the disclosed techniques can be implemented in the IMS to provide modularity and uniformed communication between the IMS to other network functions in the 5G or future generations of wireless communication networks, thereby allowing increased efficiency, reducing complexity in signaling, monitoring, and deployment.
The description and associated drawings are illustrative examples and are not to be construed as limiting. This disclosure provides certain details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant technology will understand, however, that the invention can be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant technology will understand that the invention can include well-known structures or features that are not shown or described in detail, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of examples.
The terms “example”, “embodiment” and “implementation” are used interchangeably. For example, reference to “one example” or “an example” in the disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same implementation; and, such references mean at least one of the implementations. The appearances of the phrase “in one example” are not necessarily all referring to the same example, nor are separate or alternative examples mutually exclusive of other examples. A feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example can be included in another example of the disclosure. Moreover, various features are described which can be exhibited by some examples and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which can be requirements for some examples but no other examples.
The terminology used herein should be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with certain specific examples of the invention. The terms used in the disclosure generally have their ordinary meanings in the relevant technical art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. A recital of alternative language or synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. Special significance should not be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term. Further, it will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import can refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. The term “module” refers broadly to software components, firmware components, and/or hardware components.
While specific examples of technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations can perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each of these processes or blocks can be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks can instead be performed or implemented in parallel, or can be performed at different times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples such that alternative implementations can employ differing values or ranges.
Details of the disclosed implementations can vary considerably in specific implementations while still being encompassed by the disclosed teachings. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed herein, unless the above Detailed Description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims. Some alternative implementations can include additional elements to those implementations described above or include fewer elements.
Any patents and applications and other references noted above, and any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for any subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls. Aspects of the invention can be modified to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further implementations of the invention.
To reduce the number of claims, certain implementations are presented below in certain claim forms, but the applicant contemplates various aspects of an invention in other forms. For example, aspects of a claim can be recited in a means-plus-function form or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. A claim intended to be interpreted as a mean-plus-function claim will use the words “means for.” However, the use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoke a similar interpretation. The applicant reserves the right to pursue such additional claim forms in either this application or in a continuing application.
This application is an International Patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/324,547, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, entitled SERVICE-BASED INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM (IMS) ARCHITECTURE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2023/016584 | 3/28/2023 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63324547 | Mar 2022 | US |
