KR20130036875A - Method and inter working function for roaming gateway service in a mobile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system and a network connection device are provided to offer an LTE(Long Term Evolution) roaming service in an LTE or an EPC(Evolved Packet Core) network by providing a roaming gateway function through an LTE IWF(InterWorking Function). CONSTITUTION: An MME(Mobility Management Entity) transmits DIAMETER_AIR to an IWF(DEA)(Diameter Edge Agent)(400). The IWF(DEA) generates AIR context and transmits the DIAMETER_AIR to an IWF(IWA)(Inter-working Agent)(402,404). The IWF(IWA) receives a subscriber confirmation response from WCDMA(Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) AuC(Authentication Center) by transmitting an MAP message(406,408). The IWF(DEA) transmits the DIAMETER_AIA to the MME after deleting the AIR context(410,412). [Reference numerals] (402) Generating an AIR context; (410) Deleting an AIR context;

Description

Roaming gateway service method and network interworking device in mobile communication system {METHOD AND INTER WORKING FUNCTION FOR ROAMING GATEWAY SERVICE IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a mobile communication service, and in particular, a mobile management entity (MME) and a home subscriber (HSS) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) / Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network network including an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN). Server), and the LTE Interworking Function (LTE IWF), which is responsible for protocol translation between MME-HSS, is an inbound roaming subscriber and outbound roaming to mobile subscribers. The present invention relates to a roaming gateway service method and a network interworking device in a mobile communication system suitable for performing a roaming gateway function for managing and transferring subscriber location and status information and exchanging call processing information.

3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) mobile communication systems based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) radio access technology are widely deployed around 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 interface, and adequate power consumption of the terminal are demanding requirements. In addition, the prevention of unnecessary latency in the network node and the 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 the mobile communication systems for meeting the aforementioned requirements. EPC is a set of network nodes for 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) system. EPC has evolved the core network of the existing 3GPP system architecture to support Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN), which is an evolved RAN, and to improve the efficiency of packet networks. Efficient network structure is simplified. A wireless communication system including an EPC and an EUTRAN is called an evolved packet system (EPS).

The EPC network is divided into three logical entities: 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 global mobility anchor for mobility between 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology (such as CDMA2000, WiMAX, or WIFI) and a gateway to an external network. Protocol is a session control and user plane that allocates protocols and interworks with external Internet networks and non-3GPP networks, maintains routing information with Serving-GW and external networks for packet services, and provides tunneling and IP Has routing function.

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

Next, the MME is a control plane entity that is responsible for mobility management of user equipment (UE) moving between different EUTRAN eNodeBs, and is also responsible for session management.

On the other hand, the LTE / EPC network as described above may be configured LTE IWF interworking the authentication interval of the LTE / EPC network and the existing UMTS network.

1 is a view showing an operation structure of a network interworking device according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, an LTE interworking device (LTE IWF) 10 includes an LTE / EPC network including an MME 40, an eNB (eNodeB) 30, and a Serving-GW / PDN-GW 20, and a WCDMA network. It provides the interworking function with the core node HSS (50), AuC (60) and EIR (70). That is, the MME 40, the HSS 50, the AuC 60, and the EIR 70 through an inter-working agent (hereinafter referred to as IWA) 12 which is a conversion agent that performs protocol conversion. Interworking is possible.

In the LTE IWF according to the prior art operating in the mobile communication network as described above, by providing only the function of interworking the authentication interval of the LTE / EPC network and the existing UMTS network, subscriber information management, policy management for each subscriber for roaming services There is a problem that can be used only in the subscriber's domestic network (HPLMN: Home LTE Land), that is, LTE network.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention, a message processing and subscribers such as location registration and authentication of roaming subscribers for LTE overseas roaming service in LTE IWF interworking authentication interval between the LTE / EPC network and the existing UMTS network A roaming gateway service method and a network interworking device may be provided in a mobile communication system capable of performing a roaming gateway function for performing information management.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention is a network interworking device (LTE IWF) responsible for protocol conversion between MME and HSS, and MME-HSS manages and delivers the location and status information of inbound roaming and outbound roaming subscribers to mobile subscribers. A roaming gateway service method and a network interworking device may be provided in a mobile communication system capable of performing a roaming gateway function for exchanging call processing information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system includes a roaming gateway service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF), and includes a mobile communication switching center (MME) of a domestic network or a subscriber server of an overseas network. Receiving a diameter request message related to a roaming gateway service from an HSS, transmitting the received diameter request message to an HSS or EIR of a foreign network or an MME of a domestic network, and the transmitted diameter request message Receiving a diameter response message for

And when the received diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the domestic network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming end of an inbound roaming subscriber, the received diameter request The message can be sent to HSS or EIR of foreign network.

And when the received diameter request message is a message received from the HSS of the foreign network to perform any one of registration and deletion of subscriber location and addition and deletion of subscriber information for an inbound roaming subscriber, the received diameter request The message can be sent to the MME of the domestic network.

The roaming gateway service method includes storing subscriber information in a subscriber database when registering a location of the roaming subscriber, and storing MME information of a domestic network or HSS information of an overseas network together with the subscriber information during inbound roaming. It may further include.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system includes a roaming gateway service in a network interworking device (LTE IWF), and includes a network interworking agent (IWA) or a mobile communication switching center (MME) of an overseas network. Receiving a diameter request message related to a roaming gateway service, transmitting the received diameter request message to an MME of the IWA or an overseas network, and transmitting the diameter request message received from the IWA to a domestic network. The method may include transmitting to a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authentication unit (AuC), or a terminal authentication unit (EIR), and receiving a diameter response message for the transmitted diameter request message.

And when the received diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the foreign network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming end of the outbound roaming subscriber, the received diameter The request message may be transmitted to the IWA and transmitted from the IWA to any one of AuC, HSS, and EIR of a domestic network.

And when the received diameter request message is a message received from the IWA to perform any one of subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion for an outbound roaming subscriber, the diamond to the MME of the foreign network. You can send a meter request message.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a roaming gateway service performing network interworking apparatus performs location registration and authentication of roaming subscribers with at least one of a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authenticator (AuC), and a terminal authenticator (EIR). A network interworking agent unit (IWA) for generating and processing a MAP message for the service, manages and delivers location and status information of inbound roaming subscribers and outbound roaming subscribers, exchanges call processing information, and performs the network interworking agent unit. And a roaming gateway unit for transmitting and receiving a diameter request message and a diameter response message for managing location and status information of the outbound roaming subscriber, and a subscriber database for storing and deleting roaming subscriber information under the control of the roaming gateway unit. Can be.

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 purge for the inbound roaming subscriber and the outbound roaming subscriber.

When the roaming gateway unit receives a diameter request message from an MME of an overseas network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purge for the outbound roaming subscriber, AuC, The diameter request message may be transmitted to any one of an HSS and an EIR to receive the diameter response message.

The roaming gateway unit receives the diameter request message from the IWA in order to perform any one of registration and deletion of subscriber location for the outbound roaming subscriber and addition and deletion of subscriber information. You can send a meter request message to receive a meter response message.

When the roaming gateway unit receives a diameter request message from an MME of a domestic network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming purge for the inbound roaming subscriber, an HSS or an EIR of an overseas network The diameter request message may be transmitted to receive a diameter response message.

When the roaming gateway unit receives a diameter request message from an HSS of an overseas network to perform any one of registration and deletion of a subscriber location for the inbound roaming subscriber and addition and deletion of subscriber information, the roaming gateway unit transmits the message to the MME of a domestic network. The Diameter Request message can be sent to receive a Diameter Response message.

The roaming gateway unit stores subscriber information in the subscriber database when registering the roaming subscriber's location, stores MME information of an overseas network together with the subscriber information when outbound roaming, and MME information or a domestic network when inbound roaming. HSS information of an overseas 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 may provide a roaming gateway function for message processing and subscriber information management through LTE IWF, such as location registration and authentication of roaming subscribers, to provide LTE overseas roaming services in LTE / EPC networks.

In other words, according to the increase in subscribers, the LTE IWF provides a flexible operation of the Diameter Edge Agent (DEA) mode to secure operational convenience and without adding functions to the roaming gateway (WGLR) of the WCDMA network. It can reliably provide LTE roaming service. As a result, there is an effect of maximizing the efficiency of network operation at the same time as the smooth supply of LTE services.

1 is a view showing an operation structure of a network interworking device according to the prior art;
2 is a block diagram illustrating a network interworking device in a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a network interworking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information addition procedure when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information deletion procedure when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration deletion procedure when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a flowchart illustrating an outbound roaming purge procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber authentication procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
12 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
13 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure when inbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention;
14 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber information addition procedure when 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 flowchart illustrating an inbound roaming purge procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail 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.

Embodiment of the present invention is a message processing such as location registration and authentication of roaming subscribers for LTE overseas roaming service in LTE interworking device (LTE IWF) interworking the authentication interval between the LTE / EPC network and the existing UMTS network, subscriber information As a roaming gateway function for performing management, a roaming gateway function for managing and delivering location and status information of inbound roaming and outbound roaming subscribers and exchanging call processing information to mobile subscribers.

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 device in a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, a user equipment (UE) 100, an eNode B (eNB) 102, a mobile management entity (MME) 106, a Serving-GW (Serving Gateway) 110, and a PDN-GW (Packet). Data Network Gateway (112), Node B (NB) 104, Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) 108, Authentication Center (Aug) 114, Equipment Identity Register (EIR) ( 116), LTE IWF 120, Home Location Register (HLR) / Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 118, Packet Data Network (PDN) (Internet) 1, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 100 is a subscriber station device, and according to an embodiment of the present invention, a domestic mobile communication network subscriber terminal accesses an overseas mobile communication network or an overseas mobile communication network subscriber terminal accesses a domestic mobile communication network. In this case, as a multimedia device group for providing a roaming service, for example, various types of terminal devices such as a smart phone, a notepad, a tablet computer, etc. may be included. can do.

The UE 100 may provide a broadband communication service to a subscriber by interfacing to a broadband connection through a paging and authentication procedure with an eNB 102 or an NB 104 described below, and using WCDMA-based third generation or more generations. It is possible to provide a broadband communication service including both a communication environment supporting, for example, a communication environment such as LTE / EPC or mobile world interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX), and an Internet Protocol (IP) based communication environment such as the Internet. .

The PDN 1 is a packet data network and may include, for example, the Internet. Here, the Internet includes various services existing in the TCP / IP protocol and its upper layers, namely, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Domain Name System (DNS), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). It can refer to a global open computer network architecture that provides 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, respectively, and is a network node including a database containing subscriber information for a wireless communication system. Location data and the like.

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

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

The MME 106 is an EUTRAN access mobile communication switching station in charge of signal control between the eNB 102 and Serving-GW 110, which will be described later. The MME 106 may route data received from the UE 100 to somewhere. It may determine the user information, and may play a role in charge of subscriber information and mobility management, session management, idle subscriber management, paging, and subscriber authentication functions of the UE 100.

The MME 106 transmits a bearer modification request (MBR) message to the Serving-GW 110 according to a change in the location information of the UE 100, thereby modifying a bearer response (MBA: Modify Bearer Answer (MBA). When a request)) message is received, a communication service may be provided to the UE 100 through the modified bearer.

The SGSN 108 is a UTRAN access mobile communication switching center that determines where to route incoming data from the UE 100, and manages subscriber information and mobility of the UE 100, session management, idle subscriber management, It can play the role of paging, subscriber authentication function, etc.

Serving-GW 110 is a serving gateway device that manages the mobility of the UE 100 between the eNB 102 and the second eNB, between the 3GPP network and the EUTRAN, and processes payload traffic according to an established session. Session control function can be performed. In addition, the Serving-GW 110 may interwork with the eNB 102, support handover between the LTE network or the LTE network / 3GPP, and configure the PDN-GW 112 and the EPS bearer. In addition, the packet data unit (PDU) may be delivered using tunneling, and the MBR message transmitted from the MME 106 may be transmitted to the PDN-GW 112.

The PDN-GW 112 is a packet data network gateway device which allocates an IP of the UE 100 and performs session control in association with a PDN 1 and a Non-3GPP network. The Serving-GW 110 performs packet service. And maintain routing information with the PDN 1 and perform tunneling and IP routing functions. In addition, the PDN-GW 112 may serve to deliver the PDU to the Serving-GW 110 and the PDN 1.

The LTE IWF 120 interoperates with the MME 106 of the LTE core network, authentication intervals such as HSS (HLR) 118, AuC 114, EIR 116, etc. of the UTRAN access method, and interworks with an overseas mobile communication network. It can perform subscriber information management, policy management for each subscriber for roaming service. The LTE IWF 120 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

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

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

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

Referring to FIG. 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 Mobile Application Part (MAP) message received from the WCDMA network for overseas roaming service, and the WCDMA network may be based on a diameter message received from the roaming gateway 310. A HAP (HLR) 118, AuC 114, and EIR 116 may generate and transmit a MAP message to be sent to the required place. Then, when receiving the MAP message from the WCDMA network, by transmitting a diameter response message to the roaming gateway 310, it is possible to perform the location registration and authentication of the roaming subscriber.

The roaming gateway 310 is for LTE overseas roaming services, such as inbound roaming and outbound roaming, and includes ULR, ULA, CLR, CLA, AIR, AIA, IDR, IDA, A diameter request message such as NOR and NOA may be generated and processed, and the generated diameter request message may be delivered to the IWA 310. Subsequently, when the mediator response message is received from the IWA 310, the message processing and the subscriber information management requested by the MME may be performed.

The roaming gateway 310 is interlocked with the foreign network (eg, overseas operator A) 340 and the hub operator gateway 320 when the mobile communication subscriber of the domestic network composed of WCDMA core nodes roams to the LTE overseas network. The roaming service may be provided by transmitting and receiving a message with the IWA 300. In addition, when the LTE overseas network subscriber roams into the LTE domestic network, it may play a role of transmitting and receiving a diameter message in conjunction with the HSS of the overseas network.

In other words, to provide roaming services to outbound roaming subscribers, it operates as a virtual MME (Virtual MME) that interworks with HPLMN HLR (HSS), AuC, and EIR, and provides subscriber management and message processing functions. Can be. In addition, in order to provide a roaming service to the inbound roaming subscriber, it operates as a virtual HSS (Virtual HSS) and may provide a subscriber management function and a message processing function.

In detail, outbound roaming subscribers can be provided with mobility services through the MME of the overseas network. For subscriber information management, the outbound roaming subscribers must access HLR, AuC, EIR, etc. of the domestic network. To this end, since the MME of the overseas network cannot directly access the domestic network HLR, AuC, EIR, LTE IWF (DEA) 330 may be linked to the domestic network HLR, AuC, EIR respectively on behalf of the overseas network MME. Therefore, in the HLR, AuC, and EIR of the domestic network, the LTE IWF (DEA) 330 may be recognized as the MME of the overseas network, and thus, may perform a virtual MME function.

 Inbound roaming subscribers, on the other hand, can be provided with mobility services through the MME of the domestic network, and the MME of the domestic network must receive subscriber information from the HSS of the overseas network (for example, HLR and AuC) and the EIR. However, it is not possible to connect directly to HSS or EIR of overseas network. As LTE IWF (DEA) 330 interworks with MME of domestic network in place of HSS and EIR of overseas network, LTE IWF (DEA) 330 can be recognized as HSS of foreign network in MME of domestic network. In other words, it can be said to perform a virtual HSS function.

The subscriber database 320 may include subscriber identification information, IMEI information that is unique information of the mobile terminal, location information, and the like, and transmit the corresponding data to the roaming gateway 310 according to a command requested under the control of the roaming gateway 310. I can deliver it.

In this case, the roaming gateway 310 and the subscriber database 320 may be collectively referred to as a diameter edge agent unit (hereinafter referred to as DEA) 330, and the DEA 330 may be located in the LTE IWF 120. It can be controlled by a main processor diameter edge agent (MDEA), which is a processor module in software that performs core protocol functions of the DEA mode.

As described above, in the LTE IWF 120, the DEA mode can be flexibly operated according to the increase in subscribers, thereby ensuring operational convenience, and enabling stable LTE roaming service without adding additional functions to the WCDMA GLR.

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

Referring to FIG. 4, when a domestic mobile communication subscriber uses roaming calls abroad, the domestic mobile communication subscriber performs interworking with an overseas network and a diameter. In step 400, the MME 350 of the overseas network where the subscriber roams is a subscriber. In order to perform authentication, a subscriber authentication request parameter message DIAMETER_AIR is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330.

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

If the IWF (IWA) 300 receives the subscriber acknowledgment (ack) from the AuC 114 by transmitting a MAP message (SendAuthenticationInfo) generated for subscriber authentication internally to the WCDMA AuC 114 in step 406, step 408. Transmits the subscriber authentication response parameter message DIAMETER_AIA to the IWF (DEA) 330.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the AIR context generated in step 410 and then transmits a subscriber authentication response parameter message to the MME 350 of the foreign network where the subscriber roamed in step 412.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication procedure of a mobile terminal when 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 station roaming in an overseas network, the MME 350 of the overseas network sends a terminal authentication request diameter message (DIAMETER_ECR) to the IWF (DEA) 330 in step 500. Will be sent).

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

In step 506, when 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, step 508 Sends a terminal authentication response diameter message (DIAMETER_ECA) to the IWF (DEA) 330.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 deletes the ECR context generated in step 510 and then transmits a terminal authentication response diameter message to the MME 350 of the roaming overseas network in step 512.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a subscriber location registration procedure when 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 overseas network sends a location registration request parameter message DIAMETER_ULR in step 600 to the IWF (DEA) 330. Will be sent to.

In IWF (DEA) 330, that is, MDEA generates a ULR context for session establishment in step 602, and transmits the location registration request parameter message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 604.

The IWF (IWA) 300 internally transmits a MAP message (UpdateGprsLocation) generated for location registration to the WCDMA HLR 118 in step 606. In operation 608, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits a MAP message (InsertSubscriberData) requesting roamed subscriber information to the HLR 118 to receive an acknowledgment (ack) together with the roamed subscriber information from the HLR 118. Done. At this time, if the location tracking state (Trace) is active (active) state, the information (ActivateTraceMode) indicating that the location tracking is activated in the MAP message (InsertSubscriberData) is transmitted to the HLR (118).

Thereafter, when receiving a subscriber location registration confirmation response (ack) from the HLR 118 in step 610, the roaming subscriber information is included in the location registration response diameter message DIAMETER_ULA in step 612 and transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330. Done.

In step 614, 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 overseas MME 350 that the subscriber is roaming with. . Thereafter, in step 616, the generated ULR context is deleted, and in step 618, the location registration response parameter message is transmitted to the overseas MME 350.

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

Referring to FIG. 7, when adding information about a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad, the ILR is a MAP message (InsertSubscriberData) requesting the addition of roaming subscriber information in the HLR 118 in the domestic WCDMA network in step 700. (IWA) 300 will be transmitted.

In operation 702, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request parameter message DIAMETER_IDR to the IWF (DEA) 330. In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates an IDR context for session establishment in step 704, and then stores the overseas information with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering the location through the information query in the subscriber database 320 in step 706. The MME 350 information of the network is checked.

Thereafter, in step 708, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request parameter message to the identified MME 350 of the overseas network, and when the subscriber information is added to the MME 350 of the foreign network, 710 In step 2, the subscriber information addition response parameter message DIAMETER_IDA is received.

In step 712, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information additional response diameter message to the IWF (IWA) 300, and in the IWF (IWA) 300, the MAP response message (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) generated in step 714. ) Is transmitted to the HLR 118.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information addition response parameter 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 when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, when it is desired to delete information on a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad, the HLR 118 in the domestic WCDMA network transmits a MAP message (DeleteSubscriberData) requesting deletion of roaming subscriber information in step 800. (IWA) 300 will be transmitted.

In operation 802, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits a roaming subscriber information deletion request parameter message DIAMETER_DSR to the IWF (DEA) 330. In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a DSR context for session establishment in step 804, and then stores the foreign information stored with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering the location through the information query in the subscriber database 320 in step 806. The MME 350 information of the network is checked.

Thereafter, in step 808, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request parameter message to the identified MME 350 of the overseas network, and when the subscriber information is deleted from the MME 350 of the foreign network, 810. In step 2, the subscriber information deletion response parameter message DIAMETER_DSA is received.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response parameter message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 812, and the MAP response message (DeleteSubscriberData Ack) generated in step 814 in the IWF (IWA) 300. ) Is transmitted to the HLR 118.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response parameter 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 when outbound roaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the case where it is desired to delete the location registration information of a domestic mobile communication subscriber roaming abroad, the MLR message requesting the deletion of location registration information for the roaming subscriber in the domestic WCDMA network in step 900. (CancelLocation) is transmitted to the IWF (IWA) 300.

In operation 902, the IWF (IWA) 300 transmits the roaming subscriber location registration information deletion request parameter message DIAMETER_CLR to the IWF (DEA) 330. In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a CLR context for session establishment in step 904, and then stores the information stored with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering the location through the information query in the subscriber database 320 in step 906. The MME 350 information of the network is checked.

Thereafter, in step 908, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion request diameter message of the roaming subscriber to the MME 350 of the confirmed overseas network, thereby transmitting the location registration information of the subscriber in the MME 350 of the overseas network. If is deleted, the subscriber information deletion response parameter message DIAMETER_CLA is received in step 910.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response parameter message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 912, and the MAP response message (CancelLocation Ack) generated in step 914 in the IWF (IWA) 300. ) Is transmitted to the HLR 118.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion response parameter message of the subscriber to the IWF (IWA) 300, and then deletes roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 in step 916. 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, as a roaming fuzzy (PURGE) procedure for terminating roaming for an overseas roaming domestic mobile communication subscriber, in step 1000, the MME 350 of the overseas network roaming the subscriber roams a fuzzy request parameter message. (DIAMETER_PUR) is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330.

In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, MDEA, creates a PUR context for session establishment in step 1002, and in step 1004, checks roaming subscriber information when registering a location through information inquiry in the subscriber database 320. The HLR 118 information of the network is checked. Thereafter, the IWF (DEA) 330 forwards the roaming fuzzy request parameter message to the IWF (IWA) 300 in step 1006.

In step 1008, when the IWF (IWA) 300 internally transmits a MAP message (PurgeMS) generated for the roaming purge request to the WCDMA HLR 118 and receives an acknowledgment (ack) from the HLR 118, step 1010. Sends a roaming fuzzy response diameter message (DIAMETER PUA) to the IWF (DEA) 330.

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

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

Referring to FIG. 11, when the LTE overseas mobile subscriber roams to an LTE domestic mobile communication network, the LTE IWF performs interworking with the HSS 1100 of the overseas network. Accordingly, when the corresponding subscriber station 100 requests an access to the MME 106 of the domestic network in step 1112, the MME 106 performs the subscriber authentication of the subscriber station 100 in step 1114. The authentication request diameter message DIAMETER_AIR is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330.

In the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA generates the AIR context for session establishment in step 1116, the subscriber authentication request parameter message is transmitted to the HSS 1100 of the foreign network in step 1118. The IWF (DEA) 330 is a longest match indicating the specific information of the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) prefix for the HSS 1100 of the overseas network in Realm units. To manage.

On the other hand, when the HSS 1100 of the overseas network is confirmed for the subscriber, the subscriber authentication response diameter 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 parameter message to the MME 106 of the domestic network, and then deletes the generated AIR context.

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

Referring to FIG. 12, the MME 106 of the domestic network transmits a terminal authentication request diameter message DIAMETER_ECR to the IWF (DEA) in order to perform authentication on the overseas mobile subscriber station 100 roamed in the domestic network. 330).

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, MDEA, generates an ECR context for session establishment in step 1202, and then, in step 1204, transmits the UE authentication request parameter message to the EIR 1110 of the foreign network. The IWF (DEA) 330 manages by realm as a format (Longest Match) indicating the specific information of the terminal identification number (IMSI) prefix to the EIR 1110 of the foreign network.

On the other hand, when the EIR 1110 of the foreign network is confirmed with respect to the corresponding subscriber station, the UE authentication response diameter message DIAMETER_ECA is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330 in step 1206. 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.

Referring to FIG. 13, in order to perform location registration of an overseas mobile communication subscriber roaming in a domestic network, the MME 106 of the domestic network transmits a location registration request diameter message (DIAMETER_ULR) to the IWF (DEA) 330 in step 1300. Will be sent to.

In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA generates the ULR context for session establishment in step 1302, and then in step 1304, the HSS 1100 of the overseas network in which the location information of the roaming subscriber is stored. Will be sent to.

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

Meanwhile, in the HSS 1100 of the overseas network, when a location for a roaming subscriber is registered internally, a location registration response diameter message (DIAMETER_URA) including roaming subscriber information is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330 in step 1306. Done. In step 1308, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a terminal authentication response diameter message to the MME 106 of the domestic network. Accordingly, 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 is roaming. Thereafter, in step 1312, the generated ULR context is deleted.

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 about a roaming overseas subscriber to a domestic network, the roaming subscriber information addition request parameter message requesting addition of roaming subscriber information is performed in the HSS 1100 in the overseas network in step 1400. DIAMETER_IDR) is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330. In IWF (DEA) 330, that is, MDEA, in step 1402, creates an IDR context for session establishment, and in step 1404, the domestic network stored with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering a location through the subscriber database 320 information inquiry. MME 106 information of the will be confirmed.

Subsequently, in step 1406, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information addition request parameter message to the checked MME 106 of the domestic network, and the subscriber information is added in the MME 106 of the domestic network. In step 2, the subscriber information addition response parameter message DIAMETER_IDA is received.

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

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

Referring to FIG. 15, when the information on the overseas subscriber roamed in the domestic network is to be deleted, the roaming subscriber information deletion request parameter message requesting the deletion of the roaming subscriber information is performed by the HSS 1100 in the overseas network in operation 1500. DIAMETER_DSR) is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330. The IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA creates a DSR context for session establishment in step 1502, and then stores the domestic network with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering the location through the subscriber database 320 information inquiry in step 1504. MME 106 information of the will be confirmed.

Thereafter, in step 1506, when the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming subscriber information deletion request parameter message to the confirmed MME 106 of the domestic network, the subscriber information is deleted from the MME 106 of the domestic network. In step 2, the subscriber information deletion response parameter message DIAMETER_DSA is received.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the subscriber information deletion response parameter message to the HSS 1100 of the overseas network in step 1510, and then 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.

Referring to FIG. 16, in the case where it is desired to delete location registration information of an overseas subscriber roaming in a domestic network, the HSS 1100 in the overseas network requests a deletion of location registration information requesting deletion of location registration information of a roaming subscriber in step 1600. The diameter message DIAMETER_CLR is transmitted to the IWF (DEA) 330. In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a CLR context for session establishment in step 1602, and then stores the domestic network with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering a location through the subscriber database 320 information inquiry in step 1604. MME 106 information of the will be confirmed.

Thereafter, in step 1606, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion request parameter message to the confirmed MME 106 of the domestic network, so that the location registration information of the roaming subscriber is transmitted from the MME 106 of the domestic network. If deleted, in step 1608, the location registration information deletion response parameter message DIAMETER_CLA is received.

Meanwhile, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the location registration information deletion response parameter message to the HSS 1100 of the overseas network in step 1610, and then deletes roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 in step 1612. In operation 1614, the CLR context generated in step 1614 is deleted.

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

Referring to FIG. 17, in order to purge roaming of an overseas subscriber roaming in a domestic network, the MME 106 in the domestic network transmits a roaming fuzzy request diameter message DIAMETER_PUR in step 1700 to an IWF (DEA) 330. Will be sent to. In this case, the IWF (DEA) 330, that is, the MDEA, creates a PUR context for session establishment in step 1702, and then stores the overseas network with the corresponding roaming subscriber information when registering the location through the subscriber database 320 information inquiry in step 1704. Check the HSS 1100 information.

Subsequently, in step 1706, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits a roaming fuzzy request parameter message to the identified HSS 1100 of the overseas network so that the roaming purge of the corresponding roaming subscriber is performed in the HSS 1100 of the foreign network. In step 1708, the roaming fuzzy response diameter message DIAMETER_PUA is received.

Accordingly, the IWF (DEA) 330 transmits the roaming fuzzy response parameter message to the MME 106 in the domestic network in step 1710, and the roaming subscriber information stored in the subscriber database 320 when the message is normally processed in step 1712. After deleting, the PUR context generated in step 1714 is deleted.

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

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 present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

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 roaming subscribers, to provide LTE overseas roaming services in LTE / EPC networks through LTE IWF. As it can be provided, it is suitable for securing operational convenience by flexibly operating DEA mode in LTE IWF according to the trend of increasing subscribers, and providing stable LTE roaming service without adding additional functions to GLR of 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)

In the 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 from a mobile communication switching center (MME) of a domestic network or a subscriber server (HSS) of an overseas network;
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 the transmitted diameter request message
Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system comprising a. The method of claim 1,
When the received diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the domestic network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming end of the inbound roaming subscriber, the received diameter request message Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting to the HSS or EIR of the overseas network. The method of claim 1,
When the received diameter request message is a message received from the HSS of the foreign network to perform any one of registration and deletion of subscriber location and addition and deletion of subscriber information for an inbound roaming subscriber, the received diameter request message Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting to the MME of the domestic network. The method of claim 1,
The roaming gateway service method,
Storing subscriber information in a subscriber database when registering the roaming subscriber;
Process of storing MME information of domestic network or HSS information of overseas network together with the subscriber information during inbound roaming
Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system characterized in that it further comprises. In the 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 from an IWA or an MME of an overseas network;
Transmitting the received diameter request message to the MME of the IWA or an overseas network;
Transmitting the diameter request message received from the IWA to a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authentication unit (AuC), or a terminal authentication unit (EIR) of a domestic network;
Receiving a diameter response message for the transmitted diameter request message
Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system comprising a. The method of claim 5,
If the received diameter request message is a message received from the MME of the foreign network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, roaming end to the outbound roaming subscriber,
Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting the received diameter request message to the IWA and transmits from the IWA to any of AuC, HSS, EIR of the domestic network. The method of claim 5,
If the received diameter request message is a message received from the IWA to perform any one of subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion for an outbound roaming subscriber,
Roaming gateway service method in a mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting the diameter request message to the MME of the foreign network. At least one of a subscriber server (HSS), a subscriber authentication unit (AuC), and a terminal authentication unit (EIR), and a network interworking agent unit (IWA) for generating and processing MAP messages for location registration and authentication of roaming subscribers;
A diameter request message for managing and transmitting location and status information of inbound roaming subscribers and outbound roaming subscribers, exchanging call processing information, and managing location and status information of the outbound roaming subscriber with the network interworking agent; 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.
Roaming gateway service performing network interworking device in a mobile communication system comprising a. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
Roaming gateway service performing network in a mobile communication system, characterized in that at least one of subscriber authentication, terminal authentication, subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion, and roaming purge for the inbound roaming subscriber and the outbound roaming subscriber. Interlocking device. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When receiving a request message from the MME of the foreign network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, roaming fuzzy for the outbound roaming subscriber, one of AuC, HSS, EIR of the domestic network Roaming gateway service performing network interworking apparatus in the mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting the diameter request message to receive a diameter response message. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When the diameter request message is received from the IWA to perform any one of subscriber location registration and deletion, subscriber information addition and deletion for the outbound roaming subscriber, the diameter request message is transmitted to an MME of an overseas network. Roaming gateway service performing network interworking device in the mobile communication system, characterized in that for receiving a response message. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When a diameter request message is received from an MME of a domestic network to perform any one of authentication, terminal authentication, roaming location registration, and roaming fuzzy for the inbound roaming subscriber, the diameter request message is transmitted to an HSS or EIR of an overseas network. The roaming gateway service performing network interworking device in the mobile communication system, characterized in that for transmitting a and receive a response message for this. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
When a diameter request message is received from an HSS of a foreign network to perform any one of registration and deletion of subscriber location for the inbound roaming subscriber, addition and deletion of subscriber information, the diameter request message is transmitted to an MME of a domestic network. The roaming gateway service performing network interworking device in the mobile communication system, characterized in that for receiving a response message for this. 9. The method of claim 8,
The roaming gateway unit,
Store subscriber information in the subscriber database when registering the roaming subscriber location, store MME information of an overseas network together with the subscriber information when outbound roaming,
Roaming gateway service performing network interworking apparatus in the mobile communication system, characterized in that for inbound roaming stores the MME information of the domestic network or HSS information of the foreign network with the subscriber information.

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