FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING LOCATION
DETERMINATION REQUESTS IN A COMMUNICATION
NETWORK”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr. Centre
Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING LOCATION
DETERMINATION REQUESTS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
TECHNICAL FIELD
5
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to network
performance management systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present
disclosure relate to methods and systems for managing location determination
requests in a communication network.
10
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide
background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may
15 include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the
present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only
to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure,
and not as admissions of the prior art.
20 [0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few
decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and
advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was
based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the
advent of the second generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data
25 services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. Third generation
(3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile
video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology
revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network
coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is
30 being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, lower latency, and the ability to
3
connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless
communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable
of delivering more services to its users.
[0004] Access and Mobility Management 5 Functions (AMFs) are microservices
enabled within the communication network that are configured to handle access and
mobility management for user equipment (UE), which may include tasks such as
registration, authentication, and tracking of the UE while the UE is moving or
stationary within the communication network. Additionally, Location Management
10 Functions (LMF) are microservices that are responsible for managing locationrelated
information of the UE within the communication network. Particularly, an
LMF tracks the geographical locations of the UE as the UE moves within the
communication network. Further, Network Repository Functions (NRFs) are
network functions that assist in service discovery and routing of data. An NRF is
15 configured to determine one or more target network functions or microservices that
are adapted to handle a specific request or data.
[0005] Generally, whenever the LMF receives a request to determine location of
the UE, the LMF needs to query the NRF to discover a particular AMF from one or
20 more AMFs to handle the request. While such a sequence of operations may be
effective in case of very few requests received by the LMF, in reality, the LMF
received an exceedingly high number of requests at any instant. In such cases, such
a sequence of operations may hinder expeditious retrieval of location data of the
UE.
25
[0006] Over time, various solutions have been developed to improve the
performance of communication devices and to reduce the latency during handling
of such location determination requests. However, there are challenges with
presently used solutions. For instance, the LMF needs to actively discover the
30 particular AMF from the one or more AMFs each time the LMF receives the new
4
location determination request. Also, the LMF needs to discover and create a
connection with the particular AMF each time to handle the location determination
request. In this manner, the LMF needs to create separate connections with the one
or more AMFs for handling separate location determination requests. Also, the
LMF is required to communicate 5 each time with the NRF with a new AMF
discovery request along with the location determination request, thereby resulting
in increased latency.
[0007] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to exclude AMF discovery
10 requests in each location determination request from the NRF, which the present
disclosure aims to address.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
15 [0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for
managing one or more location determination requests in a communication
20 network.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that
enables a location management function (LMF) to handle one or more location
determination requests without requiring to communicate with a network repository
25 function (NRF) for each instance of receipt of a new location determination request.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution to store
access and mobility management function (AMF) profiles of different AMFs in a
cache storage.
30
5
SUMMARY
[0012] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure
in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description.
This summary is not intended to identify the key features 5 or the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for managing one or
more location determination requests in a communication network. The method
10 comprises sending, by a transceiver unit, at a location management function (LMF)
unit, a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF)
unit. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF
unit, profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility
management functions (AMF) units, from the NRF unit. The method further
15 comprises storing, by a storage unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data associated
with the one or more available AMF units. The method further comprises
establishing, by an authentication unit, at the LMF unit, a connection with the one
or more available AMF units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage
unit. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF
20 unit, a new one or more location determination requests. The method further
comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the new one or
more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units, based
at least on the established connection.
25 [0014] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
comprises sending, by the transceiver unit, the network function discovery request,
at the LMF unit, once during start-up.
[0015] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
30 comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, a network function
6
discovery response from the NRF unit, in response to the network function
discovery request, wherein the network function discovery response comprises the
profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units.
[0016] In an exemplary 5 aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units during the start-up.
[0017] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
10 comprises searching, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units stored in the storage unit in
response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests.
[0018] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the searching the profile
15 data associated with the one or more available AMF units comprises: sending, by
the transceiver unit to the storage unit, a request to receive the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units; and receiving, at the
transceiver unit from the storage unit, the profile data associated with the one or
more available AMF units, in response to the request.
20
[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for managing
one or more location determination requests in a communication network. The
system comprises a location management function (LMF) unit. The LMF unit
comprises a transceiver unit, the transceiver unit configured to: send a network
25 function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit; and receive
profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management
functions (AMF) units from the NRF unit. The LMF unit further comprises a
storage unit connected to at least the transceiver unit, the storage unit is configured
to store the profile data associated with the one or more available access and
30 mobility management functions (AMF) units. The LMF unit further comprises an
7
authentication unit connected to at least the storage unit, the authentication unit
configured to establish a connection with the one or more available AMF units,
based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit. The transceiver unit is
further configured to: receive a new one or more location determination requests;
and transmit the new one or more location 5 determination requests to the one or more
available AMF units based at least on the established connection.
[0020] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions for managing one or more
10 location determination requests in a communication network, the instruction
comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a
system, causes: a transceiver unit [304] to: send, at a location management function
(LMF) unit [302], a network function discovery request to a network repository
function (NRF) unit [310]; receive, at the LMF unit [302], profile data associated
15 with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units
[312] from the NRF unit [310]; a storage unit [306] to store, at the LMF unit [302],
the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; an
authentication unit [308] to establish, at the the location management function
(LMF) unit [302], a connection with the one or more available access and mobility
20 management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the
storage unit [306]; and the transceiver unit [304] to: receive, at the LMF unit [302],
a new one or more location determination requests; and transmit, at the LMF unit
[302], the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more
available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.
25
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute
a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods
30 and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
8
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as
limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system
according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the
disclosure. It will be appreciated 5 by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such
drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used
to implement such components.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a fifth10
generation core (5GC) network architecture.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon
which one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
15
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for managing one
or more location determination requests in a communication network, in accordance
with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
20 [0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for managing one
or more location determination requests in the communication network, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture for
25 managing one or more location determination requests in the communication
network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0027] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed
description of the disclosure.
30
9
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. 5 It will be apparent, however, that
embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
10 problems discussed above.
[0029] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not
intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather,
the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in
15 the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment.
It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as set forth.
20 [0030] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough
understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components
may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the
25 embodiments in unnecessary detail.
[0031] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process
which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure
diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as
30 a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or
10
concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not
included in a figure.
[0032] The word “exemplary” and/or 5 “demonstrative” is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
10 designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner
similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding
15 any additional or other elements.
[0033] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor”
includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for
processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special
20 purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality
of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a Digital
Signal Processing (DSP) core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific
Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of
integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing,
25 input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of
the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or
processing unit is a hardware processor.
[0034] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”,
30 “a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”,
11
“a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a
communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and/or computing device
or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The
user equipment/device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart
phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, 5 desktop, personal digital assistant,
tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable
of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may
contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from unit(s) which
are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.
10
[0035] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or
computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a
form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable
medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”),
15 magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other
types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data
that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective
functions.
20 [0036] As used herein “interface” or “user interface” refers to a shared boundary
across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information
or data. The interface may also refer to a set of rules or protocols that define
communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more units with
each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be
25 called.
[0037] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded
herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a
general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor,
30 a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
12
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array
circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
[0038] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at 5 least one receiver and at least
one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals,
information or a combination thereof between units/components within the system
and/or connected with the system.
10 [0039] The present disclosure aims to overcome the shortcomings discussed in the
background section, and other existing problems in this field of technology by
providing a method and a system of managing one or more location determination
requests in a communication network. The present solution discovers all available
AMFs (for example, in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)), and then stores
15 the AMF profiles in a cache. During handling of a new network request, the cache
is searched for the available AMF profile and therefore, connections with the NRF
may not be required.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th
20 generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary
implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 1, the 5GC network
architecture [100] includes a user equipment (UE) [102], a radio access network
(RAN) [104], an access and mobility management function (AMF) [106], a Session
Management Function (SMF) [108], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110],
25 an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112], a Network Slice Specific
Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114], a Network Slice
Selection Function (NSSF) [116], a Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118], a
Network Repository Function (NRF) [120], a Policy Control Function (PCF) [122],
a Unified Data Management (UDM) [124], an application function (AF) [126], a
30 User Plane Function (UPF) [128], a data network (DN) [130], Location
13
Management Function (LMF) [132], Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC)
[134] and Location Services (LCS) [136] wherein all the components are assumed
to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art
for implementing features of the present disclosure.
5
[0041] Radio Access Network (RAN) [104] is the part of a mobile
telecommunications system that connects user equipment (UE) [102] to the core
network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network).
It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable
10 wireless communication.
[0042] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106] is a 5G core
network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as UE
registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management
15 procedures like handovers and paging.
[0043] Session Management Function (SMF) [108] is a 5G core network function
responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying,
and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) for data
20 forwarding and handles IP address allocation and QoS enforcement.
[0044] Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110] is a network function in the
5G core network that facilitates communication between other network functions
by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for
25 service-based interfaces.
[0045] Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112] is a network function in
the 5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing
security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.
30
14
[0046] Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function
(NSSAAF) [114] is a network function that provides authentication and
authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only
the slices for which they are authorized.
5
[0047] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116] is a network function
responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for a UE based on factors
such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.
10 [0048] Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118] is a network function that
exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications,
enabling integration with third-party services and applications.
[0049] Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] is a network function that acts
15 as a central repository for information about available network functions and
services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.
[0050] Policy Control Function (PCF) [122] is a network function responsible for
policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on
20 subscriber information and network policies.
[0051] Unified Data Management (UDM) [124] is a network function that
centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication,
authorization, and subscription information.
25
[0052] Application Function (AF) [126] is a network function that represents
external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network
capabilities and services.
15
[0053] User Plane Function (UPF) [128] is a network function responsible for
handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS
enforcement.
[0054] Data Network (DN) [130] refers to 5 a network that provides data services
to user equipment (UE) in a telecommunications system. The data services may
include but are not limited to Internet services, private data network related services.
[0055] Location Management Function (LMF) [132] is a network function in the
10 5G core responsible for managing the location information of user equipment (UE).
It coordinates with other network functions (NFs) to determine and provide the
geographic location of a UE. The LMF offers Nlmf_Location service that enables
the other NFs to request location determination for a target UE or periodic request
or triggered location.
15
[0056] Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [134] is a network entity that
serves as an interface between the 5G core network and external location-based
services. The GMLC retrieves location information from the LMF and other
relevant network functions and provides it to authorized external applications, such
20 as emergency services or location-based advertising platforms.
[0057] LCS (Location Services) is a service concept in system (e.g. GSM or
UMTS) standardization. LCS specifies all the necessary network elements and
entities, their functionalities, interfaces, as well as communication messages, due to
25 implement the positioning functionality in a cellular network. LCS Client is
software and/or hardware entity that interacts with a LCS Server for the purpose of
obtaining location information for one or more Mobile Stations. LCS Clients
subscribe to LCS in order to obtain location information. LCS Clients may or may
not interact with human users. The LCS Client is responsible for formatting and
30 presenting data and managing the user interface (dialogue). The LCS Client may
reside in the Mobile Station (UE).
16
[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [200]
(herein, also referred to as a computer system [200]) upon which one or more
features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with an
exemplary implementation 5 of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the
computing device [200] may also implement a method for providing connectivity
to one or more SE in a network environment utilising a system, or one or more subsystems,
provided in the network. In another implementation, the computing device
[200] itself implements the method for providing connectivity to one or more SE in
10 the network environment using one or more units configured within the computing
device [200], wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the
features as disclosed in the present disclosure.
[0059] The computing device [200] may include a bus [202] or other
15 communication mechanism(s) for communicating information, and a hardware
processor [204] coupled with bus [202] for processing said information. The
hardware processor [204] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor.
The computing device [200] may also include a main memory [206], such as a
random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the
20 bus [202], for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor
[204]. The main memory [206] also may be used for storing temporary variables or
other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed
by the processor [204]. Such instructions, when stored in a non-transitory storage
media accessible to the processor [204], render the computing device [200] into a
25 special purpose device that is customized to perform operations according to the
instructions. The computing device [200] further includes a read only memory
(ROM) [208] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [202] for storing static
information and instructions for the processor [204].
17
[0060] A storage device [210], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state
drive is provided and coupled to the bus [202] for storing information and
instructions. The computing device [200] may be coupled via the bus [202] to a
display [212], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic 5 LED (OLED) display, etc., for
displaying information to a user of the computing device [200]. An input device
[214], including alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may
be coupled to the bus [202] for communicating information and command
selections to the processor [204]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor
10 controller [216], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for
communicating direction information and command selections to the processor
[204], and for controlling cursor movement on the display [212]. The cursor
controller [216] typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g.,
x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the cursor controller [216] to specify
15 positions in a plane.
[0061] The computing device [200] may implement the techniques described
herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware
and/or program logic which, in combination with the computing device [200],
20 causes or programs the computing device [200] to be a special-purpose device.
According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the
computing device [200] in response to the processor [204] executing one or more
sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [206]. The
one or more instructions may be read into the main memory [206] from another
25 storage medium, such as the storage device [210]. Execution of the one or more
sequences of the one or more instructions contained in the main memory [206]
causes the processor [204] to perform the process steps described herein. In
alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be
used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions.
30
18
[0062] The computing device [200] also may include a communication interface
[218] coupled to the bus [202]. The communication interface [218] provides twoway
data communication coupling to a network link [220] that is connected to a
local network [222]. For example, the communication interface [218] may be an
integrated services digital networ 5 k (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or
a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of
telecommunication line. In another example, the communication interface [218]
may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication
connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any
10 such implementation, the communication interface [218] sends and receives
electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams
representing different types of information.
[0063] The computing device [200] can send and receive data, including program
15 code, messages, etc. through the network(s), the network link [220] and the
communication interface [218]. In an example, a server [230] might transmit a
requested code for an application program through the Internet [228], the ISP [226],
the local network [222], the host [224] and the communication interface [218]. The
received code may be executed by the processor [204] as it is received, and/or stored
20 in the storage device [210], or other non-volatile storage for later execution.
[0064] The present disclosure is implemented by a system [300] (as shown in FIG.
3). In an implementation, the system [300] may include the computing device [200]
(as shown in FIG. 2). It is further noted that the computing device [200] is able to
25 perform the steps of a method [400] (as shown in FIG. 4).
[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system [300] for
managing one or more location determination requests in a communication
network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
30 The system [300] comprises at least one location management function (LMF) unit
19
[302], at least one transceiver unit [304], at least one storage unit [306], and at least
one authentication unit [308]. Also, all of the components/ units of the system [300]
are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. As
shown in FIG. 3, all units shown within the system [300] should also be assumed
to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 3 only 5 a few units are shown; however,
the system [300] may comprise multiple such units or the system [300] may
comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of
the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system [300] may be
present in a user device/ user equipment [102] to implement the features of the
10 present disclosure. The system [300] may be a part of a user equipment (UE) (such,
as the UE [102] shown in FIG. 1) or may be independent of but in communication
with the UE. In another implementation, the system [300] may reside in a server or
a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system [300] may reside partly
in the server / network entity and partly in the UE. In an implementation, the system
15 [300] may be in communicably connection with at least one network repository
function (NRF) unit [310], and one or more access and mobility management
functions (AMF) units [312]. The one or more AMF units [312] may include AMF-
1, AMF-2, AMF-3, etc. While only three units are shown in FIG. 3, it may be
understood that more AMF units may be within the scope of this disclosure.
20
[0066] The system [300] is configured for managing one or more location
determination requests in a communication network, with the help of the
interconnection between the components/units of the system [300], the NRF unit
[310] and the one or more AMF units [312].
25
[0067] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged
that the functionality described for the various components/units can be
implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a
particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various
30 configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
20
as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative
arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended
functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope
of the present disclosure.
5
[0068] The LMF unit [302] is responsible for tracking a geographical location of a
user equipment (UE) in the communication network. The LMF unit may coordinate
with a plurality of network functions for fetching the geographical location of the
UE. It is to be noted that the LMF unit [302] is labelled to specify the
10 implementation of the present disclosure and the LMF unit [302] is sustainably
similar to the LMF [132] as mentioned in the FIG. 1.
[0069] In an embodiment, the LMF unit [302] comprises the transceiver unit [304].
The transceiver unit [304] is configured to send a network function (NF) discovery
15 request to the NRF unit [310]. The NRF unit [310] is an entity in the network that
maintains the NF profile of all the available network function instances along with
the services supported by each NF instance. Further, the NRF unit [310], post
receiving the NF discovery request (over Nnrf_NFDiscovery service) from the
LMF unit [302] or via other network functions or via Secure Copy Protocol (SCP)
20 instances, may further provide an information of all the available NF instances that
may fulfil certain criteria (or the NF instances that may support a requested service).
[0070] Further, the network function discovery request i.e., Nnrf_NFDiscovery
service may refer to a request sent by the LMF unit [302] to the NRF unit [310], for
25 determining one or more available network functions for the UE. Specifically, the
network function discovery request may pertain to determination of availability of
the appropriate network functions such as one or more AMF units [312] along with
their associated services that may be configured to access location data of the UE.
Furthermore, the network function discovery request may include information such
21
as a target-nf-instance-id parameter for identifying the target NF Instance ID or
similar information known in the art.
[0071] The transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to send the
network function discovery request once 5 during start-up. Here, the start-up may
refer to conditions associated with initialization of the LMF unit [302], such as,
without limitations, restarting of the LMF unit [302] such as opening an application
configured with the LMF unit [302], etc. While some conditions of the start-up are
presented above as example, a person skilled in the art may appreciate that other
10 conditions associated with start-up of the LMF unit [302] are covered within the
scope of this disclosure. Further, during the start-up, the LMF unit [302] may
initiate a communicable coupling with other one or more network functions
associated with the network.
15 [0072] Further, the transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to
receive a network function discovery response i.e., SearchResult from the NRF unit
[310], in response to the network function discovery request. The network function
discovery response (SearchResult) includes profile data associated with the one or
more available AMF units [312]. Herein, the profile data may include information
20 associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], such as, without
limitations, a network function (NF) instance ID (Unique identity of the NF
Instance), an NF type (Type of Network Function), an NF status (Status of the NF
Instance), a collocated Instances (Information related collocated NF type(s) and
corresponding NF Instance(s) when the NF is collocated with NFs supporting other
25 NF types), a NF locality (Operator defined information about the location of the NF
instance), a NF capacity (overall capacity of the NF, and current load on the NF),
an ipv4Addresses of the network function, an ipv6Addresses of the network
function and other information known to a person skilled in the art.
22
[0073] The transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to receive
the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] during
the start-up.
[0074] In an embodiment, the LMF 5 unit [302] further comprises the storage unit
[306]. The storage unit [304] is connected to at least the transceiver unit [304]. The
storage unit [306] is configured to store the profile data associated with the one or
more available AMF units [312]. The transceiver unit [304] may further be
configured to transfer the profile data to the storage unit [306] via an internal
10 communication bus within the LMF unit [302], or via a direct memory access
(DMA). The storage unit [306] mentioned herein may include one or more storage
media, such as, without limitations, Random Access Memory (RAM), Solid State
Drive (SSD), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a database, etc.
15 [0075] Further, in an implementation of the present disclosure, the storage unit
[306] may store the profile data in a predefined format. The predefined format may
include categorizations such as, based on the instance ID, the type, the status, the
collocated Instances, the locality, the capacity, the ipv4Addresses, the
ipv6Addresses of the network function. The predefined format may facilitate ease
20 of access of the profile data.
[0076] In an embodiment, the LMF unit [302] further comprises the authentication
unit [308]. The authentication unit [308] is connected to at least the storage unit
[306]. The authentication unit [308] is configured to establish a connection with the
25 one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the profile data stored in
the storage unit [306].
[0077] In order to establish the connection with one AMF unit [312] (e.g., the
AMF-1) from the one or more available AMF units [312], the authentication unit
30 [308] may be configured to retrieve a profile data associated with the available
23
AMF unit [312]. The authentication unit [308] may be further configured to validate
the available AMF unit [312] by comparing the retrieved profile data from the
storage, and profile data received from the AMF unit [312]. In case of a positive
match, the authentication unit [308] may be configured to deem the AMF unit [312]
as valid, and establish a secure connectivity between 5 the LMF unit [302], and the
AMF unit [312]. In an embodiment, the secure connectivity may be facilitated
through protocols, such as, without limitations, transport layer security (TLS), or
IPsec, etc.
10 [0078] The transceiver unit [304] is further connected at least to the authentication
unit [308]. The transceiver unit [304] is configured to receive new one or more
location determination requests. The received new one or more location
determination request may contain at least one of a (external client type, LCS
correlation identifier, serving cell identifier, location QoS, supported GAD shapes,
15 LDR Type, H-GMLC address, LDR Reference, UE connectivity state per access
type, TNAP identifier, TWAP identifier, scheduled location time, integrity
requirements, etc.) and thereafter, the transceiver unit [304] is further configured to
transmit the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more
available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.
20
[0079] In an embodiment, the transceiver unit [304] is further configured to search,
at the LMF unit [302] the profile data associated with the one or more available
AMF units [312] stored in the storage unit [306] in response to receiving the new
one or more location determination requests. Further, to search the profile data
25 associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], the transceiver unit
[304] is configured to send, to the storage unit [306], a request to receive the profile
data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], and thereafter, to
receive, from the storage unit [306], the profile data associated with the one or more
available AMF units [312], in response to the request.
30
24
[0080] For ease of understanding, the above-mentioned description is explained
with the help of an exemplary scenario: during a start-up of the LMF unit [302], the
transceiver unit [304] at the LMF unit [302] may send the network function
discovery request to the NRF unit [310] to inquire the available one or more AMF
units [312]. Thereafter, the NRF unit 5 [310] may process the network function
discovery request and further return a network function discovery response which
may contain the profile data for the available one or more AMF units [312].
Thereafter, the transceiver unit [304] may receive the network function discovery
response from the NRF unit [310], and the transceiver unit [304] may further
10 process the network function discovery response to extract the profile data
associated with the available one or more AMF units [312].
[0081] The transceiver unit [304] at the LMF unit [302], may further receive a new
location determination request. Post receiving the new location determination
15 request, the transceiver unit [304] may further process the new location
determination request to ensure that the new location determination request
contains the necessary information. Thereafter, based on the established
connections with the available one or more AMF units [312], the transceiver unit
[304] may further forward the new location determination request to the appropriate
20 AMF units [312] based on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306].
Thereafter, the AMF units [312] may further respond with the location data of the
UE, and the same is forwarded to a requesting entity of the UE. The location data
is also stored in the storage unit [306] for further processing within the LMF unit
[302].
25
[0082] In order to search the profile data associated with the one or more available
AMF units [312], the transceiver unit [304] may initiate a search request to receive
the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]. The
search request may further include one or more details related to specific criteria of
30 the profile data that is being searched by the transceiver unit [304]. The storage unit
[306], based on the search request may further retrieve the profile data that matches
25
the specific criteria, and further send the search response regarding the successful
retrieval of the profile data. Further, post successful retrieval of the profile data, the
transceiver unit [304] may further perform the one or more required operations that
may be requested by the LMF unit [302].
5
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method [400] for
managing one or more location determination requests in the communication
network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
In an implementation the method [400] is performed by the system [300] shown in
10 FIG. 3. Referring now to FIGs. 3 and 4, the method [400] starts at step 402.
[0084] At step 404, the method [400] comprises sending, by the transceiver unit
[304], at the LMF unit [302], the network function discovery request to the NRF
unit [310].
15
[0085] In an embodiment, the method [400] comprises sending, by the transceiver
unit [304] the network function discovery request, at the LMF unit [302] once
during the start-up.
20 [0086] At step 406, the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit
[304], at LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available
AMF units [312] from the NRF unit [310].
[0087] In an embodiment, the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver
25 unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the network function discovery response from the
NRF unit [310], in response to the network function discovery request. The network
function discovery response comprises the profile data associated with the one or
more available AMF units [312].
26
[0088] In an embodiment, the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver
unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more
available AMF units [312] during the start-up.
[0089] At step 408, the method [400] 5 comprises storing, by the storage unit [306],
at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available
AMF units [312].
[0090] At step 410, the method [400] comprises establishing, by the authentication
10 unit [308], at the LMF unit [302], a connection with the one or more available AMF
units [312] based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306].
[0091] At step 412, the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit
[304], at the LMF unit [302], a new one or more location determination requests.
15
[0092] At step 414, the method [400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver
unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the new one or more location determination
requests to the one or more available AMF units [310] based at least on the
established connection.
20
[0093] In an embodiment, the method [400] further comprises searching, by the
transceiver unit [304], at the location management function (LMF) unit [302], the
profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] stored in
the storage unit [306] in response to receiving the new one or more location
25 determination requests. In an embodiment, the method [400] comprises sending, by
the transceiver unit [304] to the storage unit [306], the request to receive the profile
data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], and thereafter,
receiving, at the transceiver unit [304] from the storage unit [306], the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] in response to the
30 request.
27
[0094] The method [400] thereafter terminates at step 416.
[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture
[500] for managing one or 5 more location determination requests in the
communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the
present disclosure. The system architecture [500] includes an LMF [502], an NRF
[504], a cache [506], an AMF-R [508], an AMF-1 [510-1], an AMF-2 [510-2], and
an AMF-3 [510-3].
10
[0096] In an embodiment, a location determination request is received at the LMF
[502]. Initially, the LMF [502] sends the NF discovery request to the NRF [504].
In response to the NF discovery request, the NRF [504] sends the NF discovery
response to the LMF [502]. Based on the NF discovery response, the LMF [502] is
15 configured to discover the one or more AMFs [510-1, 510-2, 510-3; herein,
collectively or individually referenced as [510]) that are available to connect in a
Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). For example, the LMF [502] receives the
location determination request and to address the location determination request,
the LMF [502] discovers the one or more AMFs [510]. The profile information
20 associated with the one or more AMFs [510] is stored in the one or more AMF
profiles in the cache [506]. For example, the profile information associated with the
AMF-1 is stored in the cache as AMF profile-1, etc. During handling of a new
location determination request, the LMF [502] does not communicate with the NRF
[504]. Instead, the LMF [502] searches for the required AMF [510] through the
25 AMF profiles pre-stored in the cache [506]. In this manner, the LMF [502] handles
the location determination requests with reduced latency.
[0097] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions for managing one or more
30 location determination requests in a communication network, the instruction
28
comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a
system, causes: a transceiver unit [304] to: send, at a location management function
(LMF) unit [302], a network function discovery request to a network repository
function (NRF) unit [310]; receive, at the LMF unit [302], profile data associated
with one or more available access and mobility 5 management functions (AMF) units
[312] from the NRF unit [310]; a storage unit [306] to store, at the LMF unit [302],
the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; an
authentication unit [308] to establish, at the the location management function
(LMF) unit [302], a connection with the one or more available access and mobility
10 management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the
storage unit [306]; and the transceiver unit [304] to: receive, at the LMF unit [302],
a new one or more location determination requests; and transmit, at the LMF unit
[302], the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more
available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.
15
[0098] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically
advanced solution for managing one or more location determination requests in a
communication network. The present solution may provide an efficient retrieval of
all the available AMFs, and may further provide a fast responsive action for any
20 new network request which may further reduce any latency and may also enhance
the accuracy and security in the network infrastructure.
[0099] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed
implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and
25 that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations
of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
and non-limiting.

We Claim:

1. A method [400] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the method [400] comprising:
- sending, by a transceiver unit [304], at a location management
function (LMF) unit [302], a network function discovery request to a
network repository function (NRF) unit [310];
- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], profile
data associated with one or more available access and mobility
management functions (AMF) units [312] from the NRF unit [310];
- storing, by a storage unit [306], at the LMF unit [302], the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units [312];
- establishing, by an authentication unit [308], at the the location
management function (LMF) unit [302], a connection with the one or
more available access and mobility management functions (AMF)
units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306];
- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], a new
one or more location determination requests; and
- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the
new one or more location determination requests to the one or more
available AMF units [312] based at least on the established
connection.

2. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises sending, by the transceiver unit [304], the network function discovery request, at the LMF unit [302] once during start-up.

3. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises:

- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], a
network function discovery response from the NRF unit [310] in
response to the network function discovery request, and wherein the
network function discovery response comprises the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units [312].

4. The method [400] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method [400] further comprises:
- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the
profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]
during the start-up.

5. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises:
- searching, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the
profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]
stored in the storage unit [306] in response to receiving the new one
or more location determination requests.

6. The method [400] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the searching the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] comprises:
- sending, by the transceiver unit [304] to the storage unit [306], a
request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more
available AMF units [312]; and
- receiving, at the transceiver unit [304] from the storage unit [306], the
profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]
in response to the request.

7. A system [300] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the system [300] comprising a location

management function (LMF) unit [302], the LMF unit [302] further
comprising:
- a transceiver unit [304], the transceiver unit [304] configured to:
- send a network function discovery request to a network
repository function (NRF) unit [310]; and
- receive profile data associated with one or more available access
and mobility management functions (AMF) units [312] from the
NRF unit [310];
- a storage unit [306] connected to at least the transceiver unit [304], the
storage unit [306] is configured to store the profile data associated
with the one or more available AMF units [312]; and
- an authentication unit [308] connected to at least the storage unit
[306], the authentication unit [308] configured to establish a
connection with the one or more available AMF units [312] based at
least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306], wherein the
transceiver unit [304] is further configured to:
- receive a new one or more location determination requests; and
- transmit the new one or more location determination requests to
the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the
established connection.

8. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304]
of the LMF unit [302] is configured to send the network function discovery
request once during start-up.

9. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304]
of the LMF unit [302] is configured to receive a network function discovery
response from the NRF unit [310] in response to the network function
discovery request, and wherein the network function discovery response

comprises the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF
units [312].

10. The system [300] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the transceiver unit [304]
of the LMF unit [302] is configured 5 to receive the profile data associated
with the one or more available AMF [312] units during the start-up.

11. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304]
of the LMF unit [302] is configured to search the profile data associated
with the one or more available AMF units [312] stored in the storage unit
[306] in response to receiving the new one or more location determination
requests.

12. The system [300] as claimed in claim 11, wherein to search the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], the transceiver
unit [304] is configured to:
- send, to the storage unit [306], a request to receive the profile data
associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; and
- receive, from the storage unit [306], the profile data associated with
the one or more available AMF units [312] in response to the request.

Dated this the 6th Day of September, 2023