KR101828509B1 - Method and inter working function for roaming gateway service in a mobile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roaming gateway service technology in a mobile communication system, and more particularly, to a mobile communication system in which a message processing such as location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber for LTE foreign roaming service is performed in an LTE IWF linking an authentication interval between an LTE / EPC network and an existing UMTS network And a roaming gateway function for managing and transmitting the location and status information of the inbound roaming subscribers and the outbound roaming subscribers to the mobile subscriber and exchanging call processing information to perform a roaming gateway function for performing subscriber information management . According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a roaming gateway function for performing location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber during LTE overseas roaming through the LTE IWF, and to provide a roaming gateway (GLR) of a WCDMA network with stable roaming Service can be provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a roaming gateway service method and a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile communication service, and more particularly, to a Mobile Management Entity (MME) and a Home Subscriber (HSS) in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) / EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network including an EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) And an LTE Interworking Function (hereinafter referred to as LTE IWF), which is responsible for protocol translation between MME and HSS, are provided to an inbound roaming subscriber and an outbound roaming subscriber to a mobile subscriber, To a roaming gateway service method and a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system suitable for performing a roaming gateway function of managing and communicating location and status information of a subscriber and exchanging call processing information.

A 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) mobile communication system based on WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) radio access technology is widely deployed all over the world. HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which can be defined as the first evolutionary phase of WCDMA, provides 3GPP mobile communication system with highly competitive wireless access technology in the mid-term future.

However, as the requirements and expectations of users and operators continue to increase and competition for developing wireless access technologies continues, there is a need to evolve new technologies in 3GPP mobile communication systems in order to gain competitiveness in the future. Reduced cost per bit, increased service availability, the use of flexible frequency bands, simple structure and open interfaces, and proper power consumption of terminals are becoming a requirement. In addition, prevention of unnecessary latency at the network node and efficient use of network resources can also promote the technology evolution in 3GPP.

In 3GPP Release 8, a network architecture called EPC is described as one of mobile communication systems for meeting the above-mentioned requirements. EPC is a set of network nodes for 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) system. The EPC supports the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN), which is an evolved RAN, by evolving the core network of the existing 3GPP system architecture. In addition, in order to increase the efficiency of the packet network, And has a simplified and efficient network structure. A wireless communication system including EPC and EUTRAN is called an evolved packet system (EPS).

The EPC network is divided into three logical entities such as PDN-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway), Serving-GW (Serving Gateway) and MME (Mobility Management Entity).

First, in the user plane, the PDN-GW is a gateway to an external network and a global mobility anchor for mobility between 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology (CDMA2000, WiMAX or WIFI) (Session Control) interworking with an external Internet network and a non-3GPP network and a Serving-GW and external network and routing information for a packet service as a user plane, and performs tunneling and IP Routing function.

Next, as another user plane entity, the Serving-GW is a mobility anchor for mobility between 3GPP accesses (E-UTRAN, UTRAN, GERAN). Serving-GW interworks with eNodeB and S1-U interface as session control and user plane node that handles payload traffic according to the established session and supports Inter LTE / 3GPP handoff .

Next, the MME is a control plane entity responsible for mobility management of UEs moving between different EUTRAN eNodeBs and also for session management.

Meanwhile, in the LTE / EPC network, an LTE IWF linking an LTE / EPC network with an authentication interval of an existing UMTS network can be configured.

1 is a diagram illustrating an operation structure of a network interworking apparatus according to the prior art.

1, the LTE IWF 10 includes an LTE / EPC network including an MME 40, an eNode (eNodeB) 30 and a Serving-GW / PDN-GW 20, a WCDMA And provides an interworking function with the core node HSS 50, the AuC 60, the EIR 70, and the like. That is, the MME 40 and the HSS 50, the AuC 60, and the EIR 70 are connected to each other through an inter-working agent (IWA) Thereby making it possible to interwork with each other.

In the LTE IWF according to the related art operating in the mobile communication network as described above, only the function of linking the LTE / EPC network with the authentication interval of the existing UMTS network is provided, and the subscriber information management, It is possible to utilize it only in the subscriber's home network (HPLMN: Home Public Land Mobile Network, i.e., LTE network).

Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the network interworking apparatus (LTE IWF) linking the authentication interval between the LTE / EPC network and the existing UMTS network, message processing such as location registration and authentication of the roaming subscriber for LTE foreign roaming service, It is possible to provide a roaming gateway service method and a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system capable of performing a roaming gateway function for performing information management.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention manages and transmits the location and status information of the inbound roaming subscribers and the outbound roaming subscribers to the mobile subscriber unit (LTE IWF) responsible for protocol conversion between the MME, the HSS, and the MME-HSS It is possible to provide a roaming gateway service method and a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system capable of performing a roaming gateway function of exchanging call processing information.

A method of providing a roaming gateway service in an LTE IWF includes providing a roaming gateway service in a mobile communication switching center (MME) in a domestic network or a subscriber server in an overseas network Receiving a Diameter Request message related to a roaming gateway service from an HSS (HSS), transmitting the received Diameter Request message to an HSS or EIR of an overseas network or an MME of a domestic network, Receiving a Diameter response message for < RTI ID = 0.0 >

If the received Diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the home network to perform authentication for an inbound roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, or roaming termination, the received Diameter request The message can be sent to the HSS or EIR of the foreign network.

If the received Diameter request message is a message received from the HSS of the foreign network to perform subscriber location registration and deletion for an inbound roaming subscriber, addition and deletion of subscriber information, Message to the MME of the domestic network.

The roaming gateway service method comprises the steps of storing subscriber information in the subscriber database when registering the location of the roaming subscriber and storing MME information of the domestic network or HSS information of the foreign network together with the subscriber information at the time of inbound roaming .

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing a roaming gateway service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF) in a mobile communication system, the method comprising the steps of: a network interworking agent unit (IWA) Receiving a Diameter request message related to a roaming gateway service from the IWA or an overseas network, transmitting the Diameter request message to an MME of the IWA or an overseas network, transmitting the Diameter request message received from the IWA to a home network To a subscriber server (HSS) or a subscriber authentication unit (AuC) or a terminal authentication unit (EIR) of the subscriber unit (HSS), and receiving a Diameter response message for the transmitted Diameter request message.

When the received Diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the foreign network to perform authentication for an outbound roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, or roaming termination, And transmits the request message to the IWA and transmits the request message to any one of the AuC, HSS, and EIR of the domestic network in the IWA.

If the received Diameter request message is a message received from the IWA to perform either registration or deletion of a subscriber location with respect to an outbound roaming subscriber and addition or deletion of subscriber information, A Meter Request message may be transmitted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a roaming gateway service performing network interworking apparatus includes at least one of a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authentication unit (AuC), and a terminal authentication unit (EIR) A network interworking agent unit (IWA) for performing MAP message generation and processing for the inbound roaming subscribers and the outbound roaming subscribers, and managing and transmitting the location and status information of the inbound roaming subscribers and the outbound roaming subscribers, exchanging call processing information, And a subscriber database for storing and deleting roaming subscriber information under the control of the roaming gateway unit, wherein the roaming gateway unit transmits and receives a Diameter request message and a Diameter response message for managing location and status information of the outbound roaming subscriber .

The roaming gateway unit may perform at least one of subscriber authentication, terminal authentication, subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion, and roaming purging for the inbound roaming subscriber and the outbound roaming subscriber.

When the Diameter Request message is received from the MME of the foreign network in order to perform authentication for the outbound roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purging, the roaming gateway unit transmits the Diameter Request message to the AuC, HSS, or EIR to transmit the Diameter Request message and receive the Diameter Response message.

When the Diameter Request message is received from the IWA in order to perform either registration or deletion of a subscriber location with respect to the outbound roaming subscriber, addition or deletion of subscriber information, the roaming gateway unit transmits the Diameter Request message to the MME of the foreign network, A Meter Request message may be sent to receive a Diameter response message therefor.

When the Diameter Request message is received from the MME of the domestic network in order to perform any of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purging for the inbound roaming subscriber, the roaming gateway unit transmits the Diameter Request message to the HSS or EIR Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI > Diameter Request message.

When the Diameter Request message is received from the HSS of the foreign network in order to perform the subscriber location registration and deletion, the subscriber information addition, and the deletion of the inbound roaming subscriber, the roaming gateway unit transmits the Diameter Request message to the MME of the domestic network. It may send a Diameter Request message and receive a Diameter Response message therefor.

The roaming gateway unit stores subscriber information in the subscriber database when registering the roaming subscriber location, stores MME information of the foreign network together with the subscriber information at the time of outbound roaming, and stores MME information of the domestic network at the time of inbound roaming, The HSS information of the foreign network can be stored together with the subscriber information.

In the present invention, effects obtained by representative ones of the disclosed inventions will be briefly described as follows.

The present invention can provide a roaming gateway function for message processing and subscriber information management such as location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber through LTE IWF to provide LTE foreign roaming service in the LTE / EPC network.

In other words, according to the increase of subscribers, the Diameter Edge Agent (DEA) mode is flexibly operated in the LTE IWF to secure the operational convenience, and the WCDMA gateway location server (WGLR) LTE roaming service can be provided stably. As a result, it is possible to maximize the efficiency of network operation as well as smooth supply of LTE services.

1 is a diagram illustrating an operation structure of a network interworking apparatus according to the prior art,
2 is a block diagram illustrating a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a network interworking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of an MS in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information addition procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information deletion procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration deletion procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flow chart illustrating an outbound roaming purge procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure in an inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal in inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure for inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information addition procedure at the time of inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
15 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information deletion procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention,
16 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration deletion procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention,
17 is a flow diagram illustrating an inbound roaming purge procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions in the embodiments of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention of the user, the intention or the custom of the operator. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a message processing such as location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber for LTE foreign roaming service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF) linking an authentication interval between an LTE / EPC network and an existing UMTS network, And serves as a roaming gateway function for managing and transmitting location and status information of an inbound roaming subscriber and an outbound roaming subscriber to a mobile subscriber and exchanging call processing information.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a network interworking apparatus in a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a UE (User Equipment) 100, an eNode B 102, an MME 106, a Serving-GW 110, a PDN-GW A data network gateway 112, an NB 104, a Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node 108, an Authentication Center 114, an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 116, an LTE IWF 120, a home location register (HLR) / home subscriber server (HSS) 118, a packet data network (PDN)

As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 100 is a subscriber terminal device. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when a subscriber terminal of a domestic mobile communication network accesses an overseas mobile communication network or a subscriber terminal of a foreign mobile communication network accesses a domestic mobile communication network A multimedia device group for providing a roaming service includes various types of terminal devices such as a smart phone, a notepad, a tablet computer, and the like can do.

The UE 100 may provide a broadband communication service to a subscriber through a broadband connection through a paging and authentication procedure with an eNB 102 or an NB 104, which will be described later, and may provide a broadband communication service to a subscriber using a WCDMA- A broadband communication service including a communication environment supporting LTE / EPC or mobile WIMAX (Mobile World Interoperability for Microwave Access) and an IP (Internet Protocol) based communication environment such as the Internet can be provided .

The PDN 1 may include, for example, the Internet as a packet data network. Herein, the Internet is an Internet protocol (IP) protocol, and various services existing in the upper layer of the TCP / IP protocol, such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), Telnet, FTP, DNS, , Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Network File Service (NFS), and Network Information Service (NIS).

The HLR / HSS 118 may be collectively referred to as a subscriber server as a home location register and a home subscriber server, and is a network node including a database including subscriber information on a wireless communication system, And location-related data.

The eNB 102 is an EUTRAN access type base station equipment and can perform functions such as RF transmission and transmission and reception, signal strength and quality measurement, baseband signal processing, and channel card resource management.

The NB 104 is a base station equipment of the UTRAN access method and can perform functions such as RF transmission and transmission and reception, signal strength and quality measurement, baseband signal processing, and channel card resource management.

The MME 106 is an EUTRAN access-type mobile communication exchange for signal control between the eNB 102 and a Serving-GW 110, which will be described later. The MME 106 is used to route data received from the UE 100 And manage subscriber information and mobility management of UE 100, session management, idle subscriber management, paging, subscriber authentication, and the like.

The MME 106 transmits a Modify Bearer Request (MBR) message to the Serving-GW 110 according to the location information change of the UE 100, and transmits a Modify Bearer Answer (MBA) Request) message, the UE 100 can provide the communication service through the modified bearer.

The SGSN 108 is a UTRAN-access mobile switching center that determines where to route the incoming data from the UE 100 and controls the mobility management of the subscriber information and the UE 100, session management, Paging, and subscriber authentication functions.

Serving-GW 110 is a serving gateway device that manages the mobility of UE 100 between eNB 102 and second eNB, between 3GPP network and EUTRAN, and handles payload traffic according to a set session A session control function can be performed. In addition, the Serving-GW 110 interworks with the eNB 102, supports handover between the LTE network and the LTE network / 3GPP, and can set an EPS bearer with the PDN-GW 112. [ And transmits the PDU (Packet Data Unit) using tunneling and transmits the MBR message delivered from the MME 106 to the PDN-GW 112.

The PDN-GW 112 is a packet data network gateway device that allocates IP of the UE 100 and performs session control in cooperation with the PDN 1 and the Non-3GPP network. The PDN-GW 112 includes a Serving- And PDN (1), and can perform tunneling and IP routing functions. In addition, the PDN-GW 112 may perform a role of delivering PDUs to the Serving-GW 110 and the PDN 1. [

The LTE IWF 120 interworks with the MME 106 of the LTE core network and the authentication section such as the HSS (HLR) 118, the AuC 114, and the EIR 116 of the UTRAN access method, To perform subscriber information management, and subscriber-specific policy management for roaming services. The LTE IWF 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The AuC 114 is a subscriber authentication unit that stores authentication key related information stored in a USIM or a SIM card, and can perform authentication and encryption using an authentication algorithm. That is, when the calculation is performed using the authentication key and the authentication algorithm in the USIM or the SIM card, and the calculation result is the same as the calculation result of the AuC 114, the subscriber is authenticated. The AuC 114 may be connected to the HSS (HLR) 118 or may be configured on the same platform.

The EIR 116 is a terminal authentication unit for storing an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of a mobile terminal. If the IMEI of a mobile terminal is found to be lost or stolen, the mobile terminal can not access the network . At this time, the AuC 114 and the EIR 116 may be configured as independent platforms or the same platform.

3 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a network interworking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, the LTE IWF 120 may include an IWA 300, a roaming gateway 310, a subscriber database (DB) 320, and the like.

Specifically, the IWA 300 may process a MAP (Mobile Application Part) message received from a WCDMA network for an overseas roaming service. The IWA 300 may process a WCDMA network message based on a Diameter Message received from the roaming gateway 310, (HLR) 118, the AuC 114, and the EIR 116, and transmits the generated MAP message. When the MAP message is transmitted from the WCDMA network, the router transmits a Diameter response message to the roaming gateway 310 to perform location registration and authentication of the roaming subscriber.

URA, CLR, CLA, AIR, AIA, IDR, IDA, and so on for performing location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber. The roaming gateway 310 is used for LTE foreign roaming services such as inbound roaming and outbound roaming. NOR, NOA, and the like, and may transmit the generated Diameter Request message to the IWA 310. [0033] FIG. Thereafter, when a Diameter response message is received from the IWA 310, the MME can perform message processing and subscriber information management.

When the mobile communication subscriber of the domestic network configured with the WCDMA core node roams to the LTE foreign network, the roaming gateway 310 connects the foreign network (e.g., the foreign business entity A) 340 and the hub business gateway 320 to the multi- And provide the roaming service through message transmission / reception with the IWA 300. [ In addition, when the LTE foreign network subscriber roams to the LTE domestic network, it can transmit and receive the Diameter message in conjunction with the HSS of the foreign network.

In other words, it operates as virtual MME (Virtual MME) that performs interworking of HLR (HSS), AuC and EIR for HPLMN (domestic network) to provide roaming service to outbound roaming subscribers and provides subscriber management function and message processing function . In addition, it can operate as a virtual HSS (Virtual HSS) to provide a roaming service to an inbound roaming subscriber, and can provide a subscriber management function and a message processing function.

Specifically, outbound roaming subscribers can receive mobility services through the MME of the overseas network. In order to manage subscriber information, they must be connected to the HLR, AuC, EIR, etc. of the domestic network. To this end, the MME of the foreign network can not directly connect to the HLR, AuC and EIR of the domestic network, so that the LTE IWF (DEA) 330 can interwork with the domestic network HLR, AuC and EIR in place of the overseas network MME. Therefore, in the HLR, AuC and EIR of the domestic network, the LTE IWF (DEA) 330 can be recognized as the MME of the foreign network, so that it can be said to perform the virtual MME function.

 Inbound roaming subscribers, on the contrary, can receive mobility services through the MME of the domestic network, and the MME of the domestic network must receive the subscriber information from the HSS (for example, HLR and AuC) However, it can not directly connect to HSS or EIR of overseas network. Therefore, the LTE IWF (DEA) 330 can recognize the LTE IWF (DEA) 330 as the HSS of the foreign network in the MME of the domestic network by interworking with the MME of the domestic network instead of the HSS and EIR of the foreign network , And performs the virtual HSS function.

The subscriber database 320 may include subscriber identification information, IMEI information unique to the mobile terminal, location information, and the like, and may transmit the corresponding data to the roaming gateway 310 under the control of the roaming gateway 310 .

In this case, the roaming gateway 310 and the subscriber database 320 may be collectively referred to as a Diameter Edge Agent (DEA) 330. The DEA 330 may be referred to as a Diameter Edge Agent The main processor Diameter Edge Agent (hereinafter referred to as MDEA), which is a processor module on the software that performs the core protocol function of the DEA mode, can be controlled.

As described above, in the LTE IWF 120, the DEA mode can be flexibly operated according to the subscriber increase trend to ensure operational convenience, and a stable LTE roaming service can be realized without adding a separate function to the WCDMA GLR.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure for outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the domestic mobile communication subscriber roams in the foreign country, the MME 350 of the foreign network in which the corresponding subscriber roams in step 400 performs the interworking of the foreign network and the diemetry in the outbound roaming, (DIAMETER_AIR) to the IWF (DEA) 330 in order to perform the authentication.

In step 404, the IWF (DEA) 330 (MDA) generates an AIR context for session establishment in step 402, and then transmits a subscriber authentication request dialect message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 404 .

The IWF 300 transmits a MAP message (SendAuthenticationInfo) generated internally to the WCDMA AuC 114 for subscriber authentication in step 406 and receives a subscriber acknowledgment (ack) from the AuC 114. In step 408, (DIAMETER_AIA) to the IWF (DEA) 330. The IWF (DEA)

In step 412, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the AIR context generated in step 410, and then transmits the subscriber authentication response dialer message to the MME 350 of the foreign network roaming the subscriber.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in order to perform authentication for a domestic mobile communication subscriber terminal roaming in an overseas network, the MME 350 of the foreign network transmits a terminal authentication request dialer message DIAMETER_ECR to an IWF (DEA) 330 ).

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates an ECR context for session establishment in step 502, and then transmits a terminal authentication request dialect message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 504.

In step 506, the IWF (IWA) 300 internally transmits a MAP message (CheckIMEI) generated for terminal authentication to the WCDMA EIR 116 and receives a terminal acknowledgment (ack) from the EIR 116. In step 508, (DEA) 330 to the IWF (DEA) 330 in response to the terminal authentication response message.

In step 512, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the ECR context generated in step 510, and transmits the terminal authentication response message to the MME 350 of the foreign network roaming the subscriber in step 512.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in order to perform location registration of a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming in an overseas network, the MME 350 of the foreign network transmits a location registration request DIAMETER message (DIAMETER_ULR) to an IWF (DEA) .

In step 602, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates an ULR context for establishing a session. In step 604, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a location registration request dialect message to the IWF (IWA)

In step 606, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits a MAP message (UpdateGprsLocation) generated internally to the WCDMA HLR 118 for location registration. In step 608, the IWF 300 transmits a MAP message (Insert SubscriberData) requesting the roaming subscriber information to the HLR 118 and receives an acknowledgment (ack) together with the roaming subscriber information from the HLR 118 . At this time, when the location tracking state (Trace) is active, the MAP message (InsertSubscriberData) includes information indicating that the location tracking is in the active state (ActivateTraceMode) and transmits the information to the HLR 118.

If a subscriber location registration acknowledgment (ack) is received from the HLR 118 in step 610, the roaming subscriber information is included in the location registration response metrics message DIAMETER_ULA in step 612 and transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330 .

In step 614, when the message processing is normal, the IWF (DEA) 330 stores the received roaming subscriber information in the subscriber database 320 and also stores information on the foreign MME 350 where the subscriber is roaming . Thereafter, in step 616, the created ULR context is deleted, and in step 618, the location registration response metrics message is transmitted to the foreign MME 350.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for adding subscriber information when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, if it is desired to add information on a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad, the HLR 118 in the domestic WCDMA network inserts a MAP message (Insert Subscriber Data) requesting the addition of roaming subscriber information to the IWF (IWA) 300, as shown in FIG.

In step 702, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits the roaming subscriber information addition request DIAMETER_IDR message to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 704, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates an IDR context for establishing a session in step 704. In step 706, the subscriber database 320 stores information And confirms the MME 350 information of the network.

In step 708, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request message to the MME 350 of the overseas network, and when the subscriber information is added in the MME 350 of the foreign network, the IWF (DEA) The subscriber information addition response metrics message DIAMETER_IDA is received.

In step 712, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information addition response MDM message to the IWF (IWA) 300. In the IWF (IWA) 300, the MAP response message (InsertSubscriberData Ack To the HLR 118.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information addition response DM message to the IWF (IWA) 300, and then deletes the IDR context generated in step 716.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information deletion procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step 800, the HLR 118 in the domestic WCDMA network deletes a MAP message (Delete Subscriber Data) requesting deletion of roaming subscriber information from the IWF (IWA) 300, as shown in FIG.

In step 802, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits the roaming subscriber information deletion request DIAMETER_DSR to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 804, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a DSR context for setting a session in step 804, and then, in step 806, And confirms the MME 350 information of the network.

In step 808, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request message to the MME 350 of the foreign network, and if the subscriber information is deleted from the MME 350 of the foreign network, the IWF (DEA) The subscriber information deletion response message DIAMETER_DSA is received.

In step 812, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a subscriber information deletion response metrics message to the IWF (IWA) 300. In the IWF (IWA) 300, the MAP response message (DeleteSubscriberData Ack To the HLR 118.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response meta message to the IWF (IWA) 300, and then deletes the DSR context generated in step 816.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration deletion procedure in outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the case of deleting the location registration information of a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad, the HLR 118 in the domestic WCDMA network deletes a MAP message requesting deletion of location registration information for the roaming subscriber (IWA) 300 to the IWF (CancelLocation).

In step 902, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits the roaming subscriber location registration information deletion request DIAMETER_CLR to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 906, the IWF (DEA) 330, or the MDEA, generates a CLR context for session establishment in step 904, and then, in step 906, And confirms the MME 350 information of the network.

Then, in step 908, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion request message of the roaming subscriber to the MME 350 of the overseas network identified by the IWF (DEA) The subscriber information deletion response message DIAMETER_CLA is received in step 910.

In step 912, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a subscriber information deletion response metrics message to the IWF (IWA) 300. In the IWF (IWA) 300, the MAP response message (CancelLocation Ack To the HLR 118.

In step 916, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 after transmitting the location registration information deletion response message of the subscriber to the IWF (IWA) 300, The CLR context created in step 918 is deleted.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an outbound roaming purge procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a roaming purging procedure for terminating roaming for a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad is performed. In step 1000, the MME 350 of the foreign network roaming the corresponding subscriber sends a roaming fuzzy request dialer message (DIAMETER_PUR) to the IWF (DEA) 330.

In step 1002, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates a PUR context for session establishment in step 1002. In step 1004, the subscriber database 320 verifies the corresponding roaming subscriber information And confirms the HLR 118 information of the network. Then, in step 1006, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming fuzzy request request message to the IWF (IWA) 300.

In step 1008, the IWF 300 internally transmits a MAP message (Purge MS) generated for the roaming fuzzy request to the WCDMA HLR 118 and receives an acknowledgment (ack) from the HLR 118. In step 1010, To the IWF (DEA) 330, the roaming fuzzy response metrics message (DIAMETER_PUA).

In step 1014, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the roaming fuzzy response DAM message to the MME 350 of the foreign network roaming the subscriber in step 1012, and then deletes the roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 In step 1016, the generated PUR context is deleted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure in an inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, when an LTE foreign mobile communication subscriber roams in an LTE domestic mobile communication network, the LTE IWF performs an interworking with the HSS 1100 of the foreign network in a diemedime. If the subscriber terminal 100 requests access to the MME 106 of the domestic network in step 1112, the MME 106 transmits the access request to the subscriber terminal 100 in step 1114, And transmits an authentication request dialect message DIAMETER_AIR to the IWF (DEA) 330.

In the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, an AIR context for session establishment is generated in step 1116, and a subscriber authentication request dialect message is transmitted to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network in step 1118. The IWF (DEA) 330 is a format (Longest Match) indicating the specific information of the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) prefix to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network, .

On the other hand, if the HSS 1100 of the foreign network confirms the subscriber, the subscriber identity response message DIAMETER_AIA is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330 in step 1120. In step 1122, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber authentication response DAM message to the MME 106 of the domestic network, and deletes the generated AIR context.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal in an inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, in step 1200, the MME 106 of the domestic network transmits a terminal authentication request dialer message DIAMETER_ECR to an IWF (DEA) message to perform authentication of the foreign mobile communication subscriber terminal 100 roaming in the domestic network. (330).

In step 1202, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates an ECR context for establishing a session. In step 1204, the IWF (DEA) 330 or MDEA transmits a terminal authentication request dialect message to the EIR 1110 of the foreign network. The IWF (DEA) 330 manages the EIR 1110 of the foreign network in units of realms as a format (Longest Match) indicating specific information of the terminal identification number (IMSI) prefix.

In step 1206, the EIR 1110 of the foreign network transmits the terminal authentication response DIAMETER message (DIAMETER_ECA) to the IWF (DEA) 330, if it is confirmed with respect to the corresponding subscriber terminal. In step 1208, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the terminal authentication response DIAMETER message to the MME 106 of the domestic network, and then deletes the generated ECR context.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13, in order to perform location registration of a foreign mobile communication subscriber roaming in the domestic network, the MME 106 of the domestic network transmits a location registration request dialymmetric message (DIAMETER_ULR) to an IWF (DEA) 330 in step 1300, .

In step 1302, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates an ULR context for establishing a session in step 1302. In step 1304, the location registration request dialer message is transmitted to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network, .

The IWF (DEA) 330 manages the HSS 1100 of the foreign network in units of realms as a format (Longest Match) indicating specific information of the terminal identification number (IMSI) prefix.

If the location of the roaming subscriber is registered internally in the HSS 1100 of the foreign network, the location registration response metrics message DIAMETER_URA including roaming subscriber information is transmitted to the DEF 330 in step 1306 . In step 1308, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a terminal authentication response message to the MME 106 of the domestic network. If the message processing is normal, the IWF (DEA) 330 stores the received roaming subscriber information in the subscriber database 320 and also stores information on the domestic MME 106 in which the subscriber roams. Thereafter, in step 1312, the generated ULR context is deleted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information addition procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, when it is desired to add information on an overseas subscriber roaming in the domestic network, the HSS 1100 in the foreign network in step 1400 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition requesting diemeter message requesting addition of roaming subscriber information DIAMETER_IDR) to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 1402, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates an IDR context for establishing a session in step 1402. In step 1404, The MME 106 of FIG.

In step 1406, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request message to the MME 106 of the domestic network, and if the subscriber information is added in the MME 106 of the domestic network, The subscriber information addition response metrics message DIAMETER_IDA is received.

In step 1410, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information addition response DAMI message to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network, and then deletes the IDR context generated in step 1412.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information deletion procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15, when it is desired to delete information on an overseas subscriber roaming in the domestic network, in step 1500, the HSS 1100 in the foreign network transmits a roaming subscriber information deletion request message requesting deletion of roaming subscriber information DIAMETER_DSR) to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 1502, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a DSR context for session establishment in step 1502. In step 1504, The MME 106 of FIG.

In step 1506, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information deletion request message to the MME 106 of the confirmed domestic network. If the subscriber information is deleted from the MME 106 of the domestic network, The subscriber information deletion response message DIAMETER_DSA is received.

In step 1510, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response meta message to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network, and deletes the DSR context generated in step 1512.

16 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration deletion procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

16, when it is desired to delete the location registration information of the foreign subscriber roaming in the domestic network, the HSS 1100 in the foreign network in step 1600 deletes the location registration information request for requesting deletion of the location registration information of the roaming subscriber And transmits the Diameter message (DIAMETER_CLR) to the IWF (DEA) 330. In step 1602, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates a CLR context for establishing a session in step 1602. In step 1604, The MME 106 of FIG.

Then, in step 1606, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a location registration information deletion request message to the MME 106 of the confirmed domestic network, and the location registration information of the corresponding roaming subscriber is stored in the MME 106 of the domestic network In step 1608, the location registration information deletion response message DIAMETER_CLA is received.

In step 1610, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion response message to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network. In step 1612, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 , The CLR context created in step 1614 is deleted.

17 is a flowchart illustrating an inbound roaming purge procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

17, when the roaming of an overseas subscriber roaming in the domestic network is to be purged, in step 1700, the MME 106 in the domestic network transmits a roaming fuzzy request DIAMETER_PUR to the IWF (DEA) 330, . In step 1702, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, generates a PUR context for establishing a session in step 1702. In step 1704, the IWF (DEA) 330 searches the subscriber database 320, And the HSS 1100 information of the HSS 1100 is confirmed.

Thereafter, in step 1706, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming fuzzy request DIMMER message to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network that has been confirmed, and when roaming purging of the corresponding roaming subscriber is performed in the HSS 1100 of the foreign network , And receives the roaming fuzzy response DIAMETER message (DIAMETER_PUA) in step 1708.

In step 1710, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the roaming fuzzy response DAM message to the MME 106 in the domestic network. If the message is normally processed in step 1712, the IWF (DEA) The PUR context created in step 1714 is deleted.

As described above, the present invention performs message processing such as location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber for LTE foreign roaming service, and subscriber information management in an LTE IWF linking an authentication interval between an LTE / EPC network and an existing UMTS network And serves as a roaming gateway function for managing and transmitting location and status information of an inbound roaming subscriber and an outbound roaming subscriber to a mobile subscriber and exchanging call processing information.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is capable of various modifications within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

As described above, the mobile communication system according to the present invention provides a roaming gateway function for message processing and subscriber information management such as location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber in order to provide an LTE foreign roaming service in the LTE / EPC network through the LTE IWF Therefore, it is suitable to operate the DEA mode flexibly in LTE IWF according to the increase of the number of subscribers, to ensure operational convenience, and to provide stable LTE roaming service without adding a separate function to the GLR of the WCDMA network.

118: HLR or HSS 100: UE 106: MME
114: AuC 116: EIR 120: LTE IWF
300: IWA 310: Roaming gateway 320: Subscriber database

Claims (14)

A method for providing a roaming gateway service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF)
Receiving a Diameter Request message related to a roaming gateway service of a roaming subscriber from a mobile communication switching center (MME) of a domestic network or a subscriber server (HSS) of an overseas network;
Transmitting the Diameter Request message to the HSS or EIR of the foreign network upon receiving the Diameter Request message from the MME of the domestic network;
Transmitting the Diameter Request message to the MME of the domestic network upon receiving the Diameter Request message from the HSS of the foreign network;
Receiving a Diameter response message for the transmitted Diameter request message;
Storing information related to the roaming gateway service of the roaming subscriber included in the Diameter response message in a subscriber database
The method comprising the steps of:
The method according to claim 1,
When the received Diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the home network to perform authentication for the roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, or roaming termination, the received Diameter request message To the HSS or EIR of the foreign network.
The method according to claim 1,
When the received Diameter request message is a message received from the HSS of the foreign network in order to perform subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion for the roaming subscriber, the received Diameter request message To the MME of the domestic network.
The method according to claim 1,
The roaming gateway service method includes:
Storing subscriber information in the subscriber database when registering the location of the roaming subscriber;
Storing roaming MME information of the domestic network or HSS information of the foreign network together with the subscriber information
And transmitting the roaming service to the roaming gateway.
A method for providing a roaming gateway service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF)
Receiving a Diameter Request message related to a roaming gateway service of a roaming subscriber from a network interworking agent (IWA) or a mobile switching center (MME) of an overseas network;
Transmitting the Diameter Request message to the MME of the foreign network upon receiving the Diameter Request message from the IWA;
Upon receiving the Diameter Request message from the MME of the foreign network, the Diameter Request message is transmitted to the subscriber server (HSS), the subscriber authentication unit (AuC) or the terminal authentication unit (EIR) of the domestic network through the IWA and,
Receiving a Diameter response message for the transmitted Diameter request message;
And storing information related to the roaming gateway service of the roaming subscriber included in the Diameter response message in a subscriber database.
6. The method of claim 5,
When the received Diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the foreign network to perform authentication for the roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming termination,
And transmitting the received Diameter request message to the IWA and transmitting the received Diameter Request message to one of AuC, HSS, and EIR of the domestic network in the IWA.
6. The method of claim 5,
When the received Diameter request message is a message received from the IWA to perform registration and deletion of a subscriber location with respect to the roaming subscriber and addition and deletion of subscriber information,
And transmitting the Diameter Request message to the MME of the foreign network.
A network interworking agent unit (IWA) for performing at least one of a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authentication unit (AuC) and a terminal authentication unit (EIR) and a MAP message generation and processing unit for performing location registration and authentication of a roaming subscriber,
The method comprising: managing and transmitting location and status information of an inbound roaming subscriber and an outbound roaming subscriber; exchanging call processing information; transmitting a Diameter request message for managing the location and status information of the network interworking agent unit and the outbound roaming subscriber; A roaming gateway unit for transmitting and receiving a Diameter response message,
A subscriber database for storing and deleting roaming subscriber information under the control of the roaming gateway unit;
Wherein the roaming gateway service is a mobile communication network. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
Wherein the mobile terminal performs at least one of subscriber authentication, terminal authentication, subscriber location registration and deletion, addition / deletion of subscriber information, and roaming purging for the inbound roaming subscribers and the outbound roaming subscribers. Interlocking device. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When receiving a Diameter request message from an MME of an overseas network to perform authentication for the outbound roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purging, And transmits the Diameter Request message and receives a Diameter response message to the Diameter Request message. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
Upon receiving a Diameter request message from the IWA to perform either registration or deletion of a subscriber location with respect to the outbound roaming subscriber and addition or deletion of subscriber information, the Diameter Request message is transmitted to the MME of the foreign network And a Diameter response message is received for the mobile communication system. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When a Diameter Request message is received from the MME of the domestic network to perform authentication for the inbound roaming subscriber, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purging, the Diameter Request message is transmitted to the HSS or EIR of the foreign network. And transmits a Diameter response message to the mobile communication system. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When receiving a Diameter request message from an HSS of an overseas network in order to perform either registration or deletion of a subscriber location with respect to the inbound roaming subscriber, addition or deletion of subscriber information, the Diameter request message is transmitted to the MME of the domestic network And receives a Diameter response message for the mobile communication system. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
Storing subscriber information when registering the location of the roaming subscriber in the subscriber database, storing MME information of the foreign network together with the subscriber information at the time of outbound roaming,
Wherein the MME information of the domestic network or the HSS information of the foreign network is stored together with the subscriber information when the inbound roaming is performed.

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