Patent ID: 11917521

Abstract:
A method of uniquely identifying a user equipment (UE) connected to a radio access network (RAN) includes: providing a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) component associated with the RAN; configuring, by a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a default data radio bearer (DRB) for the UE to maintain Internet Protocol (I) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) connectivity with the RAN; and using, by the RIC, one of NG uplink (UL) user plane (UP) Transport Layer Information or S1 UL UP Transport Layer Information of the default DRB for uniquely identifying the UE for the entire time the UE is connected to the RAN. The unique identification for the UE is retained across at least one of i) multiple connectivity sessions for the UE, ii) multiple mobility sessions for the UE, and iii) multiple context sessions for the UE.