5G stand alone (SA) radio access network (RAN) with evolved packet core (EPC)
AssigneeParallel Wireless, Inc.
InventorsKartik Shashikant Raval, Amit Ghadge, Pratik Vinod Mehta, Rishabh Puri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed a 5G mobile network. In one embodiment a method is disclosed, comprising: providing a 5G standalone (SA) base station; providing an Interworking Function (IWF) in communication with the 5G SA base station; providing an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in communication with the IWF; and functioning, by the IWF, as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to the 5G SA base station and functioning as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) towards the EPC.
Claims13
A method for providing a 5G mobile network, the method comprising:
- providing an Interworking Function (IWF) for interworking between a 5G standalone (SA) base station and a 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC), wherein an N2 interface connects the IWF with the 5G SA base station and an S1 interface connects the IWF with a serving gateway (SGW) of the 4G EPC;
- interacting, by the IWF, with the 5G SA base station and with the 4G EPC;
- functioning, by the IWF, as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for the 5G SA base station and as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the 4G EPC;
- performing, by the IWF, mapping between 5G SA Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and 4G NAS, to facilitate anchoring the 5G SA base station at the 4G EPC without dual connectivity;
- and
- using, by the IWF, 5G Core (5GC) functions to support 4G EPC service for 5G user equipment devices (UEs), wherein using the 5GC functions to support the 4G EPC service includes using the 5GC functions to provide subscriber authentication and authorization of the 5G UEs.
A system for providing a 5G mobile network, comprising:
- a 5G standalone (SA) base station;
- a 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC);
- an Interworking Function (IWF) between the 5G SA base station and the 4G EPC,
- wherein an N2 interface connects the IWF with the 5G SA base station and an S1 interface connects the IWF with a serving gateway (SGW) of the 4G EPC,
- wherein the IWF interacts with the 5G SA base station and with the 4G EPC,
- wherein the IWF functions as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for the 5G SA base station and as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the 4G EPC,
- wherein the IWF maps between 5G SA Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and 4G NAS, to facilitate anchoring the 5G SA base station at the 4G EPC without dual connectivity, and
- wherein the IWF uses 5G Core (5GC) functions to support 4G EPC service for 5G user equipment devices (UEs), wherein using the 5GC functions to support the 4G EPC service includes using the 5GC functions to provide subscriber authentication and authorization of the 5G UEs.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions executable to cause an interworking function (IWF) to carry out operations, wherein the IWF is situated between a 5G standalone (SA) base station and a 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC), wherein an N2 interface connects the IWF with the 5G SA base station and an S1 interface connects the IWF with a serving gateway (SGW) of the 4G EPC, and wherein the operations comprise:
- interacting with the 5G SA base station and with the 4G EPC;
- functioning as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for the 5G SA base station and as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the 4G EPC;
- performing mapping between 5G SA Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and 4G NAS, to facilitate anchoring the 5G SA base station at the 4G EPC without dual connectivity, and using 5G Core (5GC) functions to support 4G EPC service for 5G user equipment devices (UEs), wherein using the 5GC functions to support the 4G EPC service includes using the 5GC functions to provide subscriber authentication and authorization of the 5G UEs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.