Systems and methods for monitoring and efficiently testing network resource availability and configuration for public warning systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023112994-A1
Application number	US-202117909587-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 30, 2021
Priority date	Mar 31, 2020
Publication date	Apr 13, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A simulated Public Warning System (PWS) message is defined for efficient PWS testing. The simulated PWS message mimics a conventional PWS message, but indicates that it is not to be propagated across an air interface to UEs. However, the simulated PWS message is otherwise propagated through the network as a PWS message. This allows for testing the generation and propagation of PWS messages, without wasting valuable air interface and battery resources. In some embodiments, network nodes may initiate testing by requesting a simulated PWS message. An Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) node in a wireless communication network collects and reports network status to a PWS entity. The AMF node ascertains the functionality of network functions, nodes, and interfaces to which it is connected, independently from receiving reports of such functionality, and an indication of any detected fault or failure is sent to the PWS entity.

First claim

1 . A method, performed by a Public Warning System (PWS) entity within or connected to a wireless communication network, of testing PWS functionality in the network, comprising:
generating a simulated PWS message that indicates the message is not to be propagated across an air interface to a User Equipment (UE), but otherwise propagated through the network as a PWS message; and sending the simulated PWS message into the network.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulated PWS message comprises a new standardized Message Identifier.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulated PWS message comprises the PWS message having an Information Element (IE) indicating the message is not to be propagated across the air interface.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the IE further indicates that a network node should ascertain that coverage for an area over which the message is to be broadcast, is active.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the area over which the message is to be broadcast is defined by a list of cells, and wherein ascertain that coverage for the area is active comprises ascertaining that the cells on the list are active and in service.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the IE further indicates that a network node should ascertain that one or more of air interface resources and transport resources needed to forward the PWS message to a base station network node are available.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to generating and sending the simulated PWS message:
receiving from a network node an indication of a need for PWS testing; and wherein generating and sending the simulated PWS message is done in response to receiving the indication of the need for PWS testing.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the indication of the need for PWS testing received from the network node comprises a new standardized Message Identifier.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the indication of the need for PWS testing received from the network node comprises the PWS message having an Information Element (IE) indicating the need for PWS testing.

10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the indication of the need for PWS testing received from the network node identifies a broadcast area towards which PWS testing should be performed; and generating the simulated PWS message in response to receiving the indication of the need for PWS testing comprises generating the simulated PWS message to cover only the identified broadcast area.

11 . A node, within or connected to a wireless communication network, and fully or partially implementing Public Warning System (PWS) functionality, comprising:
one or more communication interfaces; and processing circuitry operatively connected to the communication interfaces and configured to:
generate a simulated PWS message that indicates the message is not to be propagated across an air interface to a User Equipment (UE), but otherwise propagated through the network as a PWS message; and
send the simulated PWS message into the network.

12 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method, performed by an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) in a wireless communication network, of ascertaining and reporting network status to a Public Warning System (PWS) entity, comprising:
ascertaining functionality of network functions, nodes, and interfaces to which it is connected, independently from receiving reports of the functionality; and upon detecting a fault or failure of a network function, node, or interface, independently from receiving notification of the fault or failure, sending an indication of the fault or failure to the PWS entity.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein sending the indication of the fault or failure to the PWS entity comprises sending the indication of the fault or failure to the PWS entity in response to the PWS entity initiating PWS service in the network.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the indication of the fault or failure includes one of a list of Tracking Area Codes (TAC) and a list of Tracking Area Indications (TAI) subject to outage due to the detected fault or failure.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the indication of the fault or failure includes a list of Cells subject to outage due to the detected fault or failure.

25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the indication of the fault or failure includes a type of fault or failure detected.

26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the indication of the fault or failure includes identification of the faulted or failed function, node, or interface.

27 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
ascertaining that the fault or failure, which existed when the PWS entity initiated PWS service in the network, has been cured; and sending an indication to the PWS entity to restart the PWS service.

28 - 34 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Ericsson Telefon Ab L M

Inventors

• Nader Ali
• Alsenmyr Gertie
• Hultström Maria
• Omurcali Carin
• Centonza Angelo

Classifications

• H04W24/06 Primary

  Testing, {supervising or monitoring} using simulated traffic · CPC title

• H04W4/90

  Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS] · CPC title