Method and user equipment for wireless communication

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention provide a method for wireless communication. In a SNPN, a UE receives an indication from a serving base station, the indication being used to indicate that a network access service is enabled by the SNPN. The UE transmits a registration request to the serving base station, the registration request indicating a network access registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the UE. The UE performs network access registration with the SNPN using default UE credentials. When the registration is successful, the UE performs the selected remote provisioning process with the SNPN to obtain the SNPN credentials. By utilizing the present invention, wireless communication can be better performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless mobile communication network, and more particularly to a method for onboarding via a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN). Background Art

[0002] A Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) is a network established and operated by an administration or a recognized operating agency (ROA) for a specific purpose, including providing land mobile communication services to the public. PLMN can provide communications for mobile users. PLMN can provide services in one frequency band or multiple frequency bands. Access to PLMN services can be achieved through an air interface, which can include radio communications between a mobile phone and a base station (BS) with an integrated Internet Protocol (IP) network service. A PLMN can include multiple radio access networks (RAN) that use different radio access technologies (RAT) to access mobile services. A radio access network is part of a mobile communication system that can implement a radio access technology (RAT). Conceptually, a RAN can reside between a mobile device and its core network (CN) and provide a connection between the mobile device and the core network. Depending on the standard, mobile phones and other wireless connection devices may be referred to as User Equipment (UE), Terminal Equipment, Mobile Station (MS), etc. Examples of different RATs include Second Generation (2 nd Generation, 2G) Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network, GERAN), third generation (3 rdGeneration, 3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UMTS RAN, UTRAN), Fourth Generation (4 th Generation, 4G) Evolved UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN, E-UTRAN) (Long Term Evolution, LTE)), Fifth Generation (5 th 5G) New Radio (NR) radio access network and other non-3GPP RATs, including Wireless Fidelity (WiFi).

[0003] Compared with PLMN, non-public network (NPN) is a fifth generation system (5G System, 5GS) deployment network for non-public use. NPN can be an independent non-public network (SNPN), that is, it is operated by an NPN operator and does not rely on the network functions provided by PLMN; or it can be an NPN integrated with a public network (Public Network Integrated NPN, PNI-NPN), that is, a non-public network deployed with the support of PLMN. A combination of PLMN identifier (Identifier, ID) and network identifier (Network Identifier, NID) can be used to identify SNPN. UE can be enabled to support SNPN. UE can select a SNPN with which it is configured with a subscriber identifier and credentials. UE can have multiple sets of subscriber identifiers, credentials and SNPN identities.

[0004] Onboarding is a service that allows a UE that is not provisioned (SNPN credentials) to obtain SNPN credentials in order to obtain connection services from the SNPN. The UE's onboarding of the SNPN may allow the UE to access the onboarding network (ON) based on the default UE credentials so that the UE is provisioned with SNPN credentials and other information for primary authentication to achieve access to the required SNPN. The onboarding network (ON) may refer to a network that provides connectivity for the UE (such as an ON-SNPN or ON-PLMN), wherein after the UE successfully registers with the onboarding network, the credentials may be obtained from the subscriber owner (SO) (such as the subscriber owner's standalone non-public network (SO-SNPN)) through the onboarding network using a user plane (UP) or control plane (CP) provisioning procedure. Normal registration may refer to the UE registering in the network for any purpose, while onboarding registration may refer to the UE registering in the network only for the purpose of onboarding, that is, the UE obtains connection from the network only for the purpose of onboarding to obtain the required SNPN credentials. The entity that owns, stores and provides the above credentials / subscription data to the UE may be defined as SO, and the SO may provide the credentials to the UE via the Provisioning Server (PVS). The information that the UE has before the actual onboarding process to uniquely identify the UE and make the UE verifiably secure (e.g., credentials for accessing the onboarding network) may be defined as the default UE credentials.

[0005] Methods are needed to facilitate the SNPN network registration process. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention may provide a method for facilitating network registration via an onboarding network, which may be an ON-SNPN. A UE may be pre-configured with default UE credentials for onboarding. The UE may discover a SNPN and select it as an ON-SNPN, and may register with the ON-SNPN using default UE credentials and / or pre-configured information (such as ON-SNPN network selection information). UP and CP provisioning processes may be used to obtain SNPN credentials from SO via an ON-SNPN access connection with a PVS. PVS may be an entity for providing network credentials and other data in the UE to enable SNPN access. According to one novel aspect, when a UE sends a registration request for UE onboarding registration, the registration request may include registration type information (e.g., SNPN onboarding) and provisioning processes supported by the UE (e.g., supporting CP, UP, or both). After successfully performing onboarding registration, the UE may then follow the corresponding provisioning process determined by the ON-SNPN (i.e., CP or UP remote provisioning process) to obtain the required SNPN credentials from the SO-SNPN via an ON-SNPN access connection with the PVS.

[0007] A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment in an independent non-public network, an indication from a serving base station, the indication being used to indicate that a network entry service is enabled by the independent non-public network; transmitting a registration request to the serving base station, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the user equipment; performing network entry registration with the independent non-public network using default user equipment credentials; and when registration is successful, performing a selected remote provisioning process with the independent non-public network to obtain credentials of the independent non-public network.

[0008] A user equipment for wireless communication comprises: a receiver, receiving an indication from a serving base station in an independent non-public network, the indication being used to indicate that a network entry service is enabled by the independent non-public network; a transmitter, transmitting a registration request to the serving base station, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the user equipment; a registration circuit, performing network entry registration with the independent non-public network using default user equipment credentials; and a control circuit, when registration is successful, performing a selected remote provisioning process with the independent non-public network to obtain credentials of the independent non-public network.

[0009] A method for wireless communication, comprising: in an independent non-public network, broadcasting an indication from a serving base station, the indication being used to indicate that a network entry service is enabled by the independent non-public network; receiving a registration request from a user equipment, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the user equipment; forwarding the registration request to a target access and mobility management function to perform a network entry registration process with the user equipment according to default user equipment credentials; and when registration is successful, providing the user equipment with credentials of the independent non-public network through the selected remote provisioning process.

[0010] By utilizing the present invention, wireless communication can be better performed.

[0011] Other embodiments and advantages will be described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 A communication system supporting UE joining SNPN according to the novel aspects may be schematically illustrated.

[0013] Figure 2 A simplified block diagram of a UE and network entities according to an embodiment of the present invention may be illustrated.

[0014] Figure 3 A simplified diagram of the network access process of UE and ON-SNPN can be illustrated.

[0015] Figure 4 A timing diagram of the network registration process of a UE and an ON-SNPN according to the novel aspects may be illustrated.

[0016] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for supporting a network registration process from a UE perspective according to a novel aspect.

[0017] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for supporting a network registration process from a base station perspective according to a novel aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1A communication system supporting UE access to SNPN according to novel aspects may be schematically illustrated. The communication system 100 may include a UE 101, an access SNPN (ON-SNPN), a default credential server (DCS), and a provisioning server (PVS). ON-SNPN may include a RAN, a user plane function (UPF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF) for providing various management services, and an authentication server function (AUSF) that may interact with the DCS for primary authentication. The PVS may be located outside the ON-SNPN and may be used to provide credentials to the UE during the access process.

[0020] In order to provision SNPN credentials to a UE configured with default UE credentials, the UE may discover a SNPN and select it as an ON-SNPN and establish a secure connection with the ON-SNPN. After establishing the secure connection, the SNPN credentials may be provisioned to the UE, enabling the UE to discover, select and register the required SNPN. After successful registration, a UP and CP remote provisioning procedure may be triggered by the UE or the network to obtain the SNPN credentials from the SO via an ON access connection with the PVS. According to one novel aspect, when the UE 101 sends a registration request to the serving gNB 102 for UE network registration, the registration request may include registration type information (e.g., SNPN network registration) and the remote provisioning procedures supported by the UE (e.g., supporting CP, UP, or both). After successfully performing network registration, the UE 101 may then follow the corresponding remote provisioning procedure (i.e., CP or UP) determined by the ON-SNPN to obtain the required SNPN credentials from the SO-SNPN via an ON access connection with the PVS.

[0021] Figure 2A simplified block diagram of a wireless device (such as UE 201 and network entity 211) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be illustrated. The network entity 211 can be a base station, which can be optionally combined with an AMF. The network entity 211 can have an antenna 215 for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver module 214 is coupled to the antenna, can receive RF signals from the antenna, convert the RF signals into baseband signals, and send the baseband signals to the processor 213. The RF transceiver module 214 also converts the baseband signals received from the processor, converts the baseband signals into RF signals, and sends them to the antenna 215. The processor 213 processes the received baseband signals and invokes different functional modules and circuits to execute features in the base station 211. The storage medium 212 can store program instructions and data 220 to control the operation of the base station 211. In Figure 2 In the example of , the network entity 211 may also include a protocol stack 280 and a set of control function modules and circuits 290. The registration circuit 231 may handle registration and mobility processes. The management circuit 232 may handle connection and session management functions. The configuration and control circuit 233 may provide different parameters to configure and control the UE.

[0022] Similarly, UE 201 may have a storage medium 202, a processor 203, and an RF transceiver module 204. The RF transceiver module 204 is coupled to an antenna 205, and may receive an RF signal from the antenna, convert the RF signal into a baseband signal, and send the baseband signal to the processor 203. The RF transceiver module 204 also converts the baseband signal received from the processor, converts the baseband signal into an RF signal, and sends it to the antenna 205. The processor 203 processes the received baseband signal and calls different functional modules and circuits to perform features in the UE 201. The storage medium 202 may store program instructions and data 210 to control the operation of the UE 201. For example, in one embodiment, the storage medium 202 may store program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to perform the steps of the method and process of the present invention. For example, suitable processors may include special purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, controllers, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) circuits and other types of integrated circuits (IC) and / or state machines. A processor associated with software may be used to implement and configure features of UE 201.

[0023] UE 201 may also include a set of functional modules and control circuits to perform the functional tasks of UE 201. The protocol stack 260 may include a non-access layer (NAS) for communicating with an AMF entity connected to the core network, a radio resource control (RRC) layer for upper layer configuration and control, a packet data convergence protocol / radio link control (PDCP / RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer. The system modules and circuits 270 may be implemented and configured by software, firmware, hardware, and any combination thereof. The above-mentioned functional modules and circuits, when executed by a processor via program instructions contained in a storage medium, may interact with each other to allow UE 201 to perform embodiments and functional tasks and features in this network.

[0024] In one example, the system modules and circuits 270 may include a registration circuit 221 for performing a network registration process with the network; a connection and session management circuit 222 for handling connection and session management; and a configuration and control circuit 223 for handling configuration and control parameters. For example, when UE 201 sends a registration request to the serving gNB for UE network registration, the registration request may include registration type information (e.g., SNPN network registration) and the remote provisioning process supported by the UE (e.g., supporting CP, UP, or both). After successfully performing network registration, UE 201 may then follow the corresponding remote provisioning process (i.e., CP or UP) determined by ON-SNPN to obtain SNPN credentials from SO-SNPN.

[0025] Figure 3 A simplified diagram of the network access process of UE 301 and ON-SNPN 310 can be illustrated. Typically, an SNPN that allows the network access process can broadcast an indication of supporting network access at the cell level. The "Onboarding Enabled" indication can be broadcast in the System Information Block (SIB) to inform the UE that the network supports (or enables) the network access service. If the SNPN does not broadcast the indication, the UE is not allowed to access the SNPN and perform network access registration in the SNPN. If the SNPN broadcasts the indication, the UE may be allowed to access the SNPN and perform network access registration in the SNPN. The above-mentioned SIB indication may be broadcast at the cell level by the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0026] exist Figure 3 In the example of , UE 301 (which wants to be provisioned with SNPN credentials for connection services from SNPN) can signal a network access request to the network using RRC signaling and NAS signaling. This allows NG-RAN 302 to forward the request from the UE to the dedicated network access AMF of ON-SNPN 310. The AMF can use NAS level indications to select the SMF for remote provisioning and establish a restricted UP between the UE and PVS. In UP provisioning, after the PDU session is established, the application in the UE can then interact with the PVS to obtain the SNPN credentials. After the UE receives the SNPN credentials from the PVS, the UE can restart and use the SNPN credentials to access the network.

[0027] Figure 4A timing diagram of a network registration process between a UE and an ON-SNPN according to the novel aspects may be illustrated. Prior to the actual network registration process, a UE supporting UE network registration may be pre-configured with default UE credentials. The default UE credentials may enable the UE to be uniquely identified and verifiably secure, and may enable the UE to access some networks defined and allowed by the credentials. In step 411, UE 401 may be pre-configured with default UE credentials. In step 412, UE 401 may receive a SIB broadcast from NG RAN 402. When the SNPN supports UE network registration of the SNPN (for example, the SNPN is used as an ON-SNPN), the NG-RAN node may additionally broadcast the following information: a network registration enable indication, used to indicate whether network registration is currently enabled for the SNPN. The network registration enable indication may be broadcast for each cell, for example, so that the network registration process may be allowed to be started only in part of the SNPN.

[0028] In step 413, UE 401 may perform ON-SNPN discovery and selection based on the received SIB broadcast. Note that in order to perform ON-SNPN selection, UE 401 may also be pre-configured with ON-SNPN selection information (step 411). After the UE selects the ON-SNPN for network access, in step 421, UE 401 may initiate a network access registration process. At the access layer (Access-Stratum, AS), the UE may establish an RRC connection with the NG-RAN node 402 of the ON-SNPN. The UE may provide an indication in the RRC connection establishment request message to indicate that the RRC connection can be used for network access. The indication may allow the NG-RAN node 402 to select an appropriate AMF (such as the target AMF 403) that supports the UE network access process. The UE may indicate the ON-SNPN as the selected network, and the NG-RAN node may indicate the selected PLMN ID and the NID of the ON-SNPN to the AMF 403. At the NAS layer, the UE may initiate the NAS registration process by sending a NAS registration request message, which has the following characteristics: the UE may set the 5GS registration type to "SNPN network entry", indicating that the registration request is for network entry. In a novel aspect, the registration request message may also indicate that the remote provisioning supported by the UE is CP, UP, or both.

[0029] In step 422, the NG RAN 402 may select the AMF 403 as the target AMF for network entry. In step 423, the NG RAN 402 may forward the NAS registration request message to the target AMF 403. In step 431, the new target AMF 403 may send a UE context request message to the old source AMF 404, which has UE context information. In step 432, the source AMF 404 may send a UE context response message and UE context information back to the target AMF 403. In step 441, the UE 401 may perform network entry registration with the corresponding entity in the ON-SNPN. Other 5G NFs 405 may include AUSF, SMF, etc. Based on the default UE credentials, the ON-SNPN may determine the corresponding DCS identity or address / domain. The AMF 403 supporting UE network entry may be configured with AMF network entry configuration data for network entry to limit the UE's network usage to network entry only.

[0030] When AMF 403 receives a NAS registration request with a 5GS registration type of "SNPN network access", AMF 403 may start the authentication process for AUSF, apply the AMF network access configuration data, and store the UE context in the AMF indication of the UE's SNPN network access registration. When the AUSF authentication is successful, the AMF may notify the UE of the registration result. If the UE is not authenticated successfully, the target AMF may reject the network access registration process, and the UE may select a different ON-SNPN for registration. In step 451, the target AMF 403 may send a registration acceptance message to UE 401. In step 452, UE 401 may send a registration completion message to the target AMF 403 to complete the registration process.

[0031] In step 461, when the registration is successful, the UE 401 may obtain credentials from the SO-SNPN via an entry network access connection with the PVS following the remote provisioning process (such as CP or UP) determined by the ON-SNPN. The NG-RAN / base station may facilitate the above provisioning process by selecting the AMF based on the information provided by the UE and performing the configuration. The UP provisioning process may be performed through a PDU session, while the CP provisioning process may be performed through a CP message, for example, CP provisioning may be performed by updating UE parameters using a Unified Data Management (UDM) control process as defined in TS 23.502. Note that the ON-SNPN may determine the provisioning process based on UE capabilities, where the UE capabilities may be indicated in the registration request in step 421. In order to enable UP remote provisioning of SNPN credentials for the UE, the UE configuration data for UP remote provisioning may be pre-configured on the UE or provided by the ON-SNPN. If a restricted PDU session is used to provide entry services via UE remote provisioning of the user plane, the AMF may select the SMF for the entry service using the SMF discovery and selection function. When a UE registered as an incoming network successfully completes the user plane remote provisioning of SNPN credentials through ON-SNPN, the UE can deregister from ON-SNPN. Then, the UE can use the obtained SNPN credentials to access a specific SNPN and obtain normal services from the specific SNPN using a normal registration process.

[0032] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for supporting a network registration process from a UE perspective according to novel aspects. In step 501, in a SNPN, a UE receives an indication from a serving base station. The indication is used to indicate that a network service is enabled by the SNPN. In step 502, the UE transmits a registration request to the serving base station. The registration request indicates a network registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the UE. In step 503, the UE performs a network registration with the SNPN using default UE credentials. In step 504, when the registration is successful, the UE and the SNPN perform a selected remote provisioning process to obtain the SNPN credentials.

[0033] Figure 6is a flow chart of a method for supporting a network entry registration process from a base station perspective according to novel aspects. In step 601, in a SNPN, a base station broadcasts an indication indicating that a network entry service is enabled by the SNPN. In step 602, the base station receives a registration request from a UE, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning processes supported by the UE. In step 603, the base station forwards the registration request to a target AMF to perform a network entry registration process with the UE according to default UE credentials. In step 604, when the registration is successful, the base station provides the SNPN credentials to the UE through the selected remote provisioning process.

[0034] Although the present invention is disclosed above in conjunction with specific embodiments for guidance purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the various features of the above embodiments may be modified, altered and combined without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: In an independent non-public network, a user equipment receives an indication from a serving base station, the indication being used to indicate that an access service is enabled by the independent non-public network; Transmitting a registration request to the serving base station, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning procedures supported by the user equipment, wherein the supported remote provisioning procedures include at least one of user plane provisioning and control plane provisioning; Performing network registration with the independent non-public network using default user equipment credentials, wherein the default user equipment credentials enable the user equipment to be uniquely identified and verifiably secure to perform the network registration; as well as When the network registration is successful, a selected remote provisioning process is performed with the independent non-public network to obtain credentials of the independent non-public network, wherein the selected remote provisioning process is determined based on the user equipment's support capability for the one or more remote provisioning processes.

2. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein: The indication is broadcast from the base station in a system information block.

3. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein: In the user plane provisioning, the user equipment establishes a protocol data unit session to obtain the credentials of the independent non-public network.

4. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein: In the control plane provisioning, the user equipment obtains the credentials of the independent non-public network using control plane signaling.

5. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein: The user equipment is pre-configured with the default user equipment credentials for the network registration.

6. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein: The credentials for the independent non-public network are obtained from the independent non-public network of the subscriber owner via an access connection to the onboard independent non-public network of a provisioning server.

7. A user equipment for wireless communication, comprising: A receiver, receiving an indication from a serving base station in an independent non-public network, the indication being used to indicate that an incoming service is enabled by the independent non-public network; a transmitter, transmitting a registration request to the serving base station, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning procedures supported by the user equipment, wherein the supported remote provisioning procedures include at least one of user plane provisioning and control plane provisioning; a registration circuit for performing network registration with the independent non-public network using default user equipment credentials, wherein the default user equipment credentials enable the user equipment to be uniquely identified and verifiably secure to perform the network registration; as well as The control circuit performs a selected remote provisioning process with the independent non-public network to obtain credentials of the independent non-public network when the network registration succeeds, wherein the selected remote provisioning process is determined based on the user equipment's support capability for the one or more remote provisioning processes.

8. The user equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that The indication is broadcast from the base station in a system information block.

9. The user equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that In the user plane provisioning, the user equipment establishes a protocol data unit session to obtain the credentials of the independent non-public network.

10. The user equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that In the control plane provisioning, the user equipment obtains the credentials of the independent non-public network using control plane signaling.

11. The user equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that The user equipment is pre-configured with the default user equipment credentials for the network registration.

12. The user equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that The credentials for the independent non-public network are obtained from the independent non-public network of the subscriber owner via an access connection to the onboard independent non-public network of a provisioning server.

13. A method for wireless communication, comprising: In the independent non-public network, broadcasting an indication from a serving base station, the indication being used to indicate that an incoming service is enabled by the independent non-public network; receiving a registration request from a user equipment, wherein the registration request indicates a network entry registration type and one or more remote provisioning procedures supported by the user equipment, wherein the supported remote provisioning procedures include at least one of user plane provisioning and control plane provisioning; forwarding the registration request to a target access and mobility management function to perform a network registration process with the user equipment according to default user equipment credentials, wherein the default user equipment credentials enable the user equipment to be uniquely identified and verifiably secure to perform the network registration; as well as When the network enrollment is successful, the user device is provided with credentials of the independent non-public network through a selected remote provisioning process, wherein the selected remote provisioning process is determined based on the user device's ability to support the one or more remote provisioning processes.

14. The method for wireless communication according to claim 13, wherein: The indication is broadcast from the base station in a system information block.

15. The method for wireless communication according to claim 13, wherein: In the user plane provisioning, the credentials of the independent non-public network are provided to the user equipment via a protocol data unit session.

16. The method for wireless communication according to claim 13, wherein: In the control plane provisioning, the credentials of the independent non-public network are provided to the user equipment using control plane signaling.

17. The method for wireless communication according to claim 13, wherein: The credentials of the independent non-public network are provided to the user device from the independent non-public network of the subscriber owner via an access connection to the onboard independent non-public network of a provisioning server.

18. A storage medium storing program instructions, wherein when the program instructions are executed by a user equipment, the user equipment executes the steps of the method for wireless communication according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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