Service announcements in wireless communication systems

Abstract

A radio access network (RAN) of a wireless communication network transmits information about NPN services provided by a non-public network (NPN) supported by the wireless network to a user equipment (UE), where the UE is not subscribed to the NPN. In some embodiments, the NPN service information is periodically broadcast to the UE; in other embodiments, the information is transmitted in response to receiving a request from the UE. In response to receiving the NPN service information, the UE transmits an onboarding request to onboard the UE to the NPN, which the UE receives; the RAN forwards this to an onboarding network (OBN) of the wireless network. In response, the RAN receives an NPN certificate for the UE from the OBN and forwards this to the UE, which uses the NPN certificate to register with the NPN, thereby enabling the non-subscribed UE to subscribe to the NPN.

Description

Background Art

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to a wireless communication system that supports a non-public network, though not exclusively.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0002] This chapter introduces aspects that may assist in promoting a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements in this chapter should be read in this context and should not be understood as an admission as to what is prior art or what is not prior art.

[0003] The Third Generation Partnership Project Release-16 (3GPP Rel-16) standard of the 5G wireless communication system introduced a Non-Public Network (NPN) function that allows for private network deployment. For example, a place such as a coffee shop or a bookstore, or a venue such as a sports arena, may deploy an NPN that provides specific services to users of wireless user equipment (UE) that subscribes to its private network, where the service is not available to non-subscribers. For example, a coffee shop may offer discounts to its subscribers that are not available to non-subscribers.

[0004] In 3GPP Rel-16, it is assumed that a subscription certificate for accessing an NPN such as a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN) is pre-configured in the subscriber's UE. In other words, only a UE that has already subscribed to the SNPN can access the SNPN and then use the service.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the appended drawings, where similar reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a simplified block diagram of a wireless 5G communication network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a signal flow diagram showing the signal flow in the communication network of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure that perform a first NPN communication scheme. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the format of Network Identifiers (NIDs) according to 3GPP Rel-16. [Figure 4] This is a diagram representing the NID format for NID assignment mode values ​​of 0 according to 3GPP Rel-16. [Figure 5] This represents three different possible optionals for encoding bits within the NID. [Figure 6] This is a signal flow diagram showing the signal flow in the communication network of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure that perform a second NPN communication mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Detailed exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are representative only for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be embodied in many alternative forms and should therefore not be construed as being limited only to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating specific embodiments only and is therefore not intended to be a limitation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] As used herein, singular definite and indefinite articles are intended to include plural forms unless otherwise specified in the context. It will also be understood that the term “includes” specifies the presence of a stated feature, process, or part, but does not exclude the presence or additional presence of one or more other features, processes, or parts. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, described functions / actions may occur in a different order than those shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutively shown drawings may actually be performed almost simultaneously or sometimes in reverse order, depending on the functions / actions involved.

[0009] Regarding Release 17, 3GPP has been studying several extensions to private networks like SNPNs (such as onboarding UEs of users who are not subscribed to an SNPN to an SNPN). The 3GPP Release 17 study does not cover how users may discover services offered by local SNPNs (where the UE does not have a pre-configured subscription certificate). If unsubscribed users could be made aware of SNPN services offered within their service area (in this context, the service area is the area where the user is currently located), they could better determine whether they should initiate the SNPN onboarding process to use the SNPN services.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a private network, such as a 5G NPN network, supports wireless communication with non-subscriber UEs (cell phones, etc.) to inform non-subscribers about services supported for subscribers, so that they can decide whether or not to subscribe to the private network. Depending on the particular implementation, a base station of the private network may employ one or both of two different modes for such communication. In the first communication mode, the NPN base station broadcasts information about its subscription services to any UE that can receive its downlink message. In the second mode, the UE sends an uplink request for such information, and the NPN base station responds by sending the information back to the UE in a unicast downlink message.

[0011] Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of a wireless 5G communication network 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The 5G network 100 has one or more 5G cores (5GCs) 106 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) that support the operation of one or more radio access networks (RANs) 104 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1). Each RAN 104 has one or more base stations (gNBs) (not shown in Figure 1) each capable of communicating with one or more UEs 102 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1). The operation supported by the 5GCs 106 may include one or more SNPNs (and one or more Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs)) that can use the RAN 104 to communicate with the UEs 102.

[0012] Also shown connected to 5GC106 in Figure 1 is the On-Boarding Network (OBN) 108, which enables the onboarding of new SNPN subscriptions to UE102 and is described in more detail below.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, UE102 includes a radio transceiver (TRX) for communicating with RAN104, a processor for controlling the operation of the transceiver and processing input and output data, memory for storing data, and, in some implementations, software for controlling the operation of the processor. Similarly, RAN104 includes a radio transceiver for communicating with UE102, a backhaul transceiver for communicating with 5G core 106 (including OBN108), a processor for controlling the operation of these transceivers and processing input and output data, memory for storing data, and, in some implementations, software for controlling the operation of the processor.

[0014] Some embodiments of this disclosure enable UE102 to discover new NPNs, learn their service capabilities, register with them, and connect to them. While connected to a given NPN, UE102 may learn about and utilize additional services that may be available within the currently connected NPN. UE102 may request service information about various available NPNs at regular intervals. While connected to a given NPN, UE102 may discover and connect to different NPs to utilize better or more desirable services.

[0015] First communication mode: SNPN information transmitted via broadcast. The following describes several solutions to the question of "how an SNPN gNB can advertise / broadcast a proposed SNPN service to a UE that does not yet have a valid SNPN certificate to access the SNPN."

[0016] According to the 3GPP Rel-16 specification, SNPN identifiers (SNPN-IDs) are broadcast by gNB. A 3GPP Rel-16 compliant UE located within the gNB's service area and possessing a subscription and pre-configured certificate for one of the SNPN-IDs broadcast by gNB may select that SNPN-ID by following the automatic or manual SNPN selection procedure specified in 3GPP TS 23.122 Rel-16, and then initiate an SNPN registration procedure by 3GPP TS 23.501, which incorporates both of those teachings herein by whole reference. If the UE does not possess a valid SNPN certificate to access any of the SNPN-IDs broadcast by gNB, the UE cannot access any SNPN within the gNB's service area.

[0017] As stated above, 3GPP has not prescribed or studied any methods regarding "how SNPNs may advertise / broadcast services presented within the SNPN service area of ​​a UE with which it has no prior relationship or subscription." Users of UEs that visit an SNPN service area but do not have an SNPN subscription (and any pre-configured, relevant SNPN certificate within the UE) may be interested in using SNPN services based on broadcast service information to make a more informed decision about whether they should initiate the SNPN onboarding process to use SNPN services.

[0018] As further explained below, the proposed solution enhances the encoding / structure of the network identifier (NID) portion of the SNPN-ID included in the broadcasted downlink message, enabling the gNB to advertise / broadcast services presented by the SNPN, and allowing a UE that does not yet have any valid SNPN certificates within the gNB's coverage area to initiate the SNPN onboarding procedure using OBN108 in Figure 1. The SNPN onboarding procedure is a method for downloading the SNPN certificate to the UE. Once the onboarding procedure is successfully completed, the UE can perform the SNPN registration procedure by using the downloaded SNPN certificate to utilize the SNPN services.

[0019] Figure 2 is a signal flow diagram showing the signal flow within the communication network 100 of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure performing a first NPN communication mode. This process begins in step 202 with the pre-configuration of RAN104, 5GC106, and OBN108 with information related to one or more SNPNs supported by the communication network 100.

[0020] Next, in step 204, RAN 104 uses its gNB to broadcast information related to those SNPNs. Note that "in some situations, an SNPN will be associated with one or more gNBs whose service area corresponds to the location of the company sponsoring the SNPN." In these situations, only that gNB may broadcast information about that SNPN. In some situations, a given gNB may be associated with two or more SNPNs and / or possibly one or more PLMNs. In these situations, the gNB may broadcast information about various SNPNs and / or PLMNs in succession (their identifiers are listed within the same broadcasted System Information Block (SIB) (i.e., SIB-1)).

[0021] According to 5G Rel-16, while a PLMN is identified by a PLMN identifier (PLMN-ID), a SNPN is identified by a SNPN identifier (SNPN-ID) consisting of a PLMN-ID and a network identifier (NID), where RAN104 broadcasts the PLMN-ID and / or SNPN-ID of the 5G core 106 to which RAN104 is connected. The broadcast of such PLMN-ID and SNPN-ID along with other system information is specified in 3GPP specification (TS) 38.331.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, according to 3GPP Rel-16, the NID of a SNPN has 44 bits (i.e., a 40-bit NID value (corresponding to 10 hexadecimal digits) followed by a 4-bit allocation mode value (corresponding to 1 hexadecimal (alias hex) digit). 3GPP Rel-16 defines allocation mode values of 0, 1, and 2 in decimal, and reserves 13 other possible allocation mode values (i.e., decimal values 3 to 15) for future definition.

[0023] In particular, according to 3GPP TS 23.003 Rel-16, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, the 4-bit NID allocation mode value of 0 implies that the 40-bit NID value is globally unique regardless of the corresponding PLMN-ID. The NID allocation mode value of 1 implies that the NID value is individually selected by the SNPN at deployment. The NID allocation mode value of 2 implies that the NID value is allocated such that the combination of the NID value and the corresponding PLMN-ID is globally unique. The deployment model of the NID allocation mode value of 1 is called self-allocation, while the two other allocation models are called coordinated allocation.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, for the 0 NID assignment mode value, the 40-bit NID value is further divided into an 8-bit Private Enterprise Number (PEN) followed by a 2-digit NID code. Here, the NID PEN is issued by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), as the administrator of the Private Enterprise Number, to the service provider of the SNPN. And the NID code identifies the SNPN within the service provider identified by the NID PEN.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the new 4-bit NID assignment mode value is defined to be one of the reserved decimal values 3 - 15. Next, the 40-bit NID value is used to provide information about the service provided by the SNPN identified by the corresponding SNPN-ID.

[0026] As shown in optional selector 1 of FIG. 5, in one possible implementation, one or more of the 10 hexadecimal digits of the 40-bit NID value are used to represent various types of services provided by the SNPN. For example, the bits within the last two hexadecimal digits may be used to represent the following services: ● 0000 0001 Low-speed public Internet access ● 0000 0010 High-speed public Internet access ● 0000 0100 Beverage service ● 0000 1000 Food service ● 0001 0000 Video from various angles ● 0010 0000 Local promotion / sales ● 0100 0000 Emergency support

[0027] If the previously reserved assignment mode value 4 is used for the SNPN service and a particular SNPN provides high-speed public Internet access, beverage service, and local promotion / sales, the 44-bit NID value is: 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0010 0110 This would be the result. Here, the first 4-bit value 0100 represents the assignment mode value 4, and the three 1s in the last two 4-bit values ​​0010 0110 identify the three supported services. In hexadecimal format, the 11-digit NID value would be 40000000026.

[0028] As shown in optional selector 2 in Figure 5, in another possible implementation, the 10-digit NID value is divided into various parts, where the first part (e.g., one hexadecimal digit) identifies the SNPN category, the second part (e.g., two other hexadecimal digits) identifies the presented SNPN service (as in the previous example), and the remaining part (e.g., the remaining seven hexadecimal digits) is reserved. For example, the eighth hexadecimal digit could be used to identify the SNPN category as follows: ●0001 Coffee Shop ●0010 Concert Hall ●0011 Stadium ●0100 Restaurant ●0101 Bookstore ●0110 City ●0111 Airport

[0029] If the previously reserved allocation mode value 4 is used for the SNPN service, and the restaurant with SNPN provides high-speed internet access, beverage and food service, and local promotions / sales, then the 44-bit NID value is: 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0100 0010 1110 This would be the result. Here, the first 4-bit value 0100 represents the assignment mode value 4, the 8th 4-bit value 0100 identifies the company as a restaurant, and the four 1s in the two last 4-bit values ​​0010 1110 identify the four supported services. In hexadecimal format, the 11-digit NID value would be 4000000042E, where the hexadecimal value E corresponds to the decimal value 14.

[0030] As shown in optional selector 3 in Figure 5, in yet another possible implementation, a different assignment mode value (e.g., 5) may be used to allow different SNPNs to uniquely define different standardized service presentations. In this optional selector, the UE downloads a configuration file to map the SNPN service configurations presented by the different PENs. This configuration information may be pre-configured within the UE or downloaded by the UE from a trusted source.

[0031] Some embodiments of this disclosure are extensions of NID assignment mode 0, where the NID value includes a 32-bit globally unique PEN (Private Enterprise Number) and an 8-bit NID code. This disclosure proposes a method for advertising / broadcasting service offerings of SNPN operators having PEN assignments. For example, a stadium operator obtains a PEN assigned by the Internet Assignment Numbers Certification Authority (IANA) (https: / / www.iana.org / assignments / enterprise-numbers / enterprise-numbers). The operator then uses this PEN to construct an SNPN-ID by sample coding. The 8-bit NID code value is used by the stadium operator to broadcast the type of service offered at this stadium. A user visiting the stadium for an event such as a game or concert may download a file (e.g., from a website established by a PEN holder) containing any SNPN service offerings from various PEN holders. Such a file may allow the end user to map the specific SNPN service broadcast at this stadium location by the 8-bit NID code into a human-readable format. Such mapping can also be automated by several other means, such as applications downloaded into the UE.

[0032] Referring again to Figure 2, in step 206, the UE 102, which receives the broadcasted SNPN information, performs an SNPN lookup (e.g., manually selected by the user) and displays information about services provided by one or more available SNPNs that the UE has not yet subscribed to. If the user selects one of the available SNPNs, the process of onboarding the UE to the SNPN takes place in step 208, during which an SNPN certificate is supplied to the UE.

[0033] For example, in a coffee shop with an SNPN that offers free internet service or any promotional sales for its customers, the SNPN network can broadcast this service offer via the gNB in ​​its service area. Users of the UE can initiate a manual SNPN network search within the coffee shop to discover available networks and services. The UE displays the SNPN-ID and associated offerings (e.g., free internet service) to the user. If the user is interested in the service, they can select the relevant SNPN to begin the onboarding process.

[0034] As another example, a stadium venue has an SNPN that provides various services for customers visiting the venue. These services might include, for example, free best-effort internet, paid high-speed internet, and special event footage from various camera angles. These service offerings are broadcast via the NB by associating one or more of these services with one or more SNPN-IDs. Users of the UE can initiate a manual SNPN network search within the venue to discover available networks and services. The UE displays SNPN-IDs and associated service offerings to the user. If the user is interested in using any of the services, they can select the relevant SNPN to begin the onboarding process.

[0035] During the onboarding procedure, the UE may receive a new SNPN-ID from 5GC, which will be used to access the SNPN service. This new SNPN-ID will also be broadcast via the same gNB. The onboarding process will be based on 3GPP Rel-17 functionality. An example of the onboarding procedure for communication network 100 in Figure 1 can be summarized as follows: ●UE102, lacking a valid SNPN certificate, requests 5GC106 to provide such a certificate via UE-to-5GC, which is transmitted via RAN104; ● 5GC106 retrieves the temporary SNMP certificate for UE102 from OBN108, and then assigns the permanent SNMP certificate (which may include a new SNMP-ID used by UE102 for the SNMP local service) to UE102; ● 5GC106 sends the SNPN certificate back to UE102 via 5GC-to-UE signaling; and, ● The UE disconnects 5GC106 and then reconnects to 5GC106 using the downloaded SNPN certificate.

[0036] After the onboarding procedure is completed, in step 210, the UE102 registers with the SNPN, which enables the UE to establish a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session via the SNPN. This is for establishing a connection between the UE and the SNPN for data transfer. The PDU session signifies an association between the UE and the data network that provides access to services presented by the SNPN (e.g., the Internet).

[0037] Second communication mode: Requested NPN information (applicable to all NPN flavors: i.e., SNPN and PNI-NPN) The following describes several solutions for how a UE that does not yet possess a valid NPN certificate may request information regarding the characteristics of available NPNs. These solutions apply to both SNPNs and Public Network Integrated NPNs (PNI-NPNs) (as defined in 3GPP TS 22.261 and 3GPP TS 23.501), both of which are incorporated herein by whole reference.

[0038] According to several implementations, by using a new query within an existing 3GPP message, the UE sends a request to the network requesting information about presented NPN services, and the network responds with information about supported and available NPN service presentations. The UE then prompts the user with the available NPN service presentations and, with the user's consent, uses these services. The UE may also be pre-configured to use these network connections and services when available at a given location or from a certain provider.

[0039] Figure 6 is a signal flow diagram showing the signal flow in the communication network 100 of Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure performing a second NPN communication mode. The process begins in step 602 with the pre-configuration of RAN104, 5GC106 and OBN108 with information related to one or more NPNs supported by the communication network 100. Step 602 is similar to step 202 in Figure 2.

[0040] In step 604, RAN104 broadcasts a downlink MIB (Master Information Block) message to UE102. The MIB is a broadcast message transmitted at regular intervals over the wireless network (containing parameters required by the UE to retrieve an SIB-1 message from a cell). The MIB allows the UE to identify and associate with modifiable networks.

[0041] In step 606, RAN104 broadcasts a downlink SIB-1 system information block message to UE102. The SIB-1 message defines messages for other SIBs (SIB-2, SIB-3, etc.) which include scheduling the transmission of messages for those other SIBs. There are multiple SIBs (e.g., SIB-1 to SIB-14 and SIBpos) as defined in 3GPP TS 38.331. Each SIB contains specific information. SIB-1 means system information block type 1. SIB-1 is a special SIB that is transmitted periodically and may also indicate the scheduling of messages for other SIBs. If a message for a given SIB is not scheduled to be broadcast, the UE may specifically request a message for a desired SIB.

[0042] In step 608, to obtain information about NPN services, a specific UE 102 sends an uplink system information request message to RAN 104, and in step 610, RAN 104 responds by broadcasting the requested system information in a downlink response message. Although not explicitly shown in Figure 6, additional uplink requests and corresponding downlink response messages may be sent as needed until UE 102 receives all the necessary information. Furthermore, since the downlink response messages are broadcast, all UEs within the NPN service area can also obtain the same information. These request and response messages are described in more detail below. The first exchange of information about NPN services is initiated by UE 102 using a system information request message. Although not explicitly shown in Figure 6, to minimize the load on the network due to similar requests from various UEs (e.g., in a stadium use case), the network may be configured to broadcast these SIB messages at regular intervals via gNBs within a given area.

[0043] After UE102 has obtained all the necessary information, it performs an NPN search (if appropriate), displays NPN service information, receives the user's NPN selection, initiates onboarding for the selected NPN, and registers the NPN for the PDU session in steps 612-616. These are similar to steps 206-210 in Figure 2. Regarding step 612, similar to step 206 in Figure 2, UE102 may present the received information to the user in a user-friendly manner (by decoding messages and bit strings if necessary), present various optionals to the user, and obtain the user's preference / consent to join the selected NPN.

[0044] The teachings incorporated herein by whole reference, 3GPP TS 38.331, define the SIB-1 downlink message SystemInformation as follows: SystemInformation::=SEQUENCE{ criticalExtensions CHOICE{ systemInformation SystemInformation-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture-r16 CHOICE{ posSystemInformation-r16 PosSystemInformation-r16-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE{} } } } SystemInformation-IEs::=SEQUENCE{ sib-TypeAndInfo SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxSIB))OF CHOICE{ sib2 SIB2, sib3 SIB3, sib4 SIB4, sib5 SIB5, sib6 SIB6, sib7 SIB7, sib8 SIB8, sib9 SIB9, ..., sib10-v1610 SIB10-r16, sib11-v1610 SIB11-r16, sib12-v1610 SIB12-r16, sib13-v1610 SIB13-r16, sib14-v1610 SIB14-r16 }, lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING OPTIONAL, nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE{}OPTIONAL }

[0045] 3GPP TS 38.331, which incorporates its teachings by whole reference herein, defines the SIB-10 downlink message SIB10-r16 as follows: SIB10-r16::=SEQUENCE{ hrnn-List-r16 HRNN-List-r16 OPTIONAL,--Need R lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING OPTIONAL, ... } HRNN-List-r16::=SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNPN-r16))OF HRNN-r16 HRNN-r16::=SEQUENCE{ hrnn-r16 OCTET STRING(SIZE(1..maxHRNN-Len-r16))OPTIONAL--Need R }

[0046] The teachings incorporated herein by whole-word refer to 3GPP TS 38.331 Chapter 6.2.2, which defines the uplink system information request message RRCSystemInfoRequest as follows: RRCSystemInfoRequest::=SEQUENCE{ criticalExtensions CHOICE{ rrcSystemInfoRequest RRCSystemInfoRequest-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture-r16 CHOICE{ rrcPosSystemInfoRequest-r16 RRC-PosSystemInfoRequest-r16-IEs, criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE{} } } } RRCSystemInfoRequest-IEs::=SEQUENCE{ requested-SI-List BIT STRING(SIZE (maxSI-Message)),--32bits spare bit string (size (12)) } RRC-PosSystemInfoRequest-r16-IEs::=SEQUENCE{ requestedPosSI-List BIT STRING (SIZE(maxSI-Message)),--32bits spare bit string (size (11)) }

[0047] According to some embodiments, appropriate bits in the RRCSystemInfoRequestIE field of the request message RRCSystemInfoRequest are used by UE102 to request information about available NPN services that the UE has not yet subscribed to. In response, depending on the particular implementation, RAN104 uses either a modified SIB-10 response message SIB10-r16 or a new SIB response message NEW-SIB-r18 to send the requested NPN service information back to UE102. As further described below, by setting appropriate indicators within the SIB-1 message, the new SIB response message can be cell-specific or area-specific, thereby minimizing overhead on a wider network. The periodicity of the new SIB response message is proposed to be aligned with messages of similar SIBs. The first exchange of information about NPN services is initiated by the UE as previously described by the SystemInfo request message. To minimize network load due to similar requests from various UEs (e.g., in a stadium use case), the network may advertise these messages via gNBs within a given area at regular intervals.

[0048] Revised SIB-10 response message Existing SIB-10 response messages provide the Human Readable Network Name (HRNN) of an NPN. According to some embodiments, the SIB-10 downlink message SIB10-r16 is modified to include an NPN service octal string field, NPN-Serv, which can be used to capture human-readable information about a service presented by a given NPN. The modified SIB-10 message SIB10-r16 is defined as follows: SIB10-r16::=SEQUENCE{ hrnn-List-r16 HRNN-List-r16 OPTIONAL,--Need R lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING OPTIONAL, ... } HRNN-List-r16::=SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNPN-r16))OF HRNN-r16 HRNN-r16::=SEQUENCE{ hrnn-r16 OCTET STRING(SIZE(1..maxHRNN-Len-r16))OPTIONAL--Need R NPN-Serv OCTET STRING(SIZE(1..maxNPN-Serv-Len-r18))OPTIONAL--Need R }

[0049] The modified SIB-10 message contains the same number of HRNN elements as the number of NPNs in SIB-1, where the nth entry in the HRNN list contains the human-readable network name of the nth NPN in SIB-1. The human-readable network name in the communication entry within the HRNN list does not exist if there is no HRNN associated with a given NPN. The new NPN-Serv field provides a human-readable description of the service presented by the corresponding NPN.

[0050] New SIB response message Regarding the new SIB response message NEW-SIB-r18, the SystemInformation-IE of the SIB-1 message SystemInformation may be modified as follows: SystemInformation-IEs::=SEQUENCE{ sib-TypeAndInfo SEQUENCE(SIZE (1..maxSIB))OF CHOICE{ sib2 SIB2, sib3 SIB3, sib4 SIB4, sib5 SIB5, sib6 SIB6, sib7 SIB7, sib8 SIB8, sib9 SIB9, ..., sib10-v1610 SIB10-r16, sib11-v1610 SIB11-r16, sib12-v1610 SIB12-r16, sib13-v1610 SIB13-r16, sib14-v1610 SIB14-r16, new-sib-v18-10 NEW-SIB-r18 }, lateNonCriticalExtension OCTET STRING OPTIONAL, nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE{}OPTIONAL }

[0051] According to one possible implementation, the new SIB response message NEW-SIB-r18 can be defined by the bitstring field NPNServicesSupported as follows: NEW-SIB-r18::=SEQUENCE{ npn-service-List-r18 NPN-Sevice-List-r18 } NPN-Service-List-r18::=SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNPN-r18))OF NPN-Serv-r18 NPN-Serv-r18::=SEQUENCE{ messageIdentifier BIT STRING(SIZE(16)), serialNumber BIT STRING(SIZE(16)), NPNServicesSupported BIT STRING(SIZE(32)), ServiceMessageSegmentType ENUMERATED{notLastSegment,lastSegment}, ServiceMessageSegmentNumber INTEGER(0..63), ServiceMessageSegment OCTET STRING, dataCodingScheme OCTET STRING(SIZE(1))OPTIONAL,--Cond Segment1 ... ... }

[0052] Note: Supported NPN services can be indicated either as a bitstring within a single attribute (by using NPNServicesSupported) or within one or more segments (by using ServiceMessageSegmentType, ServiceMessageSegmentNumber, ServiceMessageSegment, and dataCodingScheme) if more information is desired (perhaps in a human-readable clear text format, if necessary).

[0053] The fields in this implementation of the NEW-SIB-r18 message are defined as follows: ●MessageIdentifier: Identifies the source and type of the service offering notification to indicate that the message is sent from a specific "service provider". ●serialNumber: Identifies a variant of the service presentation notification used to inform the UE whether a previously received message has been updated. The UE updates the information to the user only if the messageIdentifier and / or serialNumber are modified. ●NPNServicesSupported: A description of services presented by NPN as encoded in various binary and / or hexadecimal values, similar to the previous discussion of encoding in the context of broadcasted information concerning NPN services. ●ServiceMessageSegmentType: Indicates whether the included service notification warning message segment is the final segment. ●ServiceMessageSegmentNumber: The segment number of the service presentation warning message segment included in the SIB. A segment number of 0 corresponds to the first segment, a segment number of 1 corresponds to the second segment, and so on. ●ServiceMessageSegment: Carries a segment of the Service Presentation Message Content IE. ●dataCodingScheme: Identifies the alphabet / encoding and language application variant forms of the service presentation notice. ●Segment1: The field is forced to exist within the first segment of the new SIB; otherwise, it does not exist. When the NPN service information is large, the fields ServiceMessageSegmentType, ServiceMessageSegmentNumber, ServiceMessageSegment, and dataCodingScheme can be used to implement a segmentation method in which the information is carried sequentially through various instances of the NEW-SIB-r18 message.

[0054] According to another possible implementation, the new SIB response message NEW-SIB-r18 is an octal string in which the NPNServicesSupported field is defined as follows: NPNServicesSupported OCTET STRING(SIZE(1..maxNPNServ-Len-r18)) Except for the above, it is defined as described above. In this implementation, various building types and / or various NPN services can be described by using a human-readable clear text format. This allows new service presentations or service changes to be incorporated without any changes in the UE or network functionality. This information may be provided in one or more segments as needed and may support various encoding selectors.

[0055] While new features may not be available in older versions, the system as a whole should be backward compatible with existing network functions. Furthermore, some embodiments involve only software modifications, requiring no changes to the hardware.

[0056] In some embodiments, the Disclosure is a radio access network for a wireless communication network, where the RAN includes a radio transceiver, a backhaul transceiver, and a processor configured to control the operation of the radio and backhaul transceivers. The radio transceiver is configured to transmit information to user equipment about NPN services provided by a private network supported by the wireless communication network; the radio transceiver is configured to receive onboarding requests from a UE to onboard the UE to NPN; the backhaul transceiver is configured to forward the onboarding requests to the onboarding network of the wireless communication network; the backhaul transceiver is configured to receive the UE's NPN certificate from the OBN; and the radio transceiver is configured to forward the NPN certificate to the UE.

[0057] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information about the NPN service to the UE in a broadcast communication message.

[0058] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; the NPN is a standalone private network having an SNPN identifier having a network identifier portion; and the processor is configured to encode information about the NPN service within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in a broadcast message.

[0059] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the network identifier has an allocation mode value and an NID value; and in order to transmit NPN information, the processor is configured to assign a value to the allocation mode value that indicates that the NID value encodes information about the NPN service.

[0060] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information about NPN services to the UE in response to receiving a request for information from the UE.

[0061] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to receive requests for NPN service information by setting the appropriate bits of SIB-10 or a new SIB in the RRCSystemInfoRequest-IE field of the request message RRCSystemInfoRequest as needed.

[0062] In at least some of the above embodiments, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit NPN service information as a bit string that is decoded by the UE.

[0063] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit NPN service information in a human-readable clear text format.

[0064] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information in one or more fields within a modified SIB-10 message.

[0065] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information in one or more fields of a new SIB message as one or more segments.

[0066] In some other embodiments, the disclosure relates to user equipment of a wireless communication network having a wireless access network, where the UE includes a wireless transceiver and a processor. The wireless transceiver is configured to receive from the RAN information about NPN services provided by a private network supported by the wireless communication network; the wireless transceiver is configured to send an onboarding request to the RAN to onboard the UE to the NPN; the wireless transceiver is configured to receive the UE's NPN certificate from the RAN; and the processor is configured to register with the NPN.

[0067] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to receive information about NPN services in broadcast messages from the RAN.

[0068] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; the NPN is a standalone private network having an SNPN identifier having a network identifier portion; the wireless transceiver is configured to receive information about an encoded NPN service within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in a broadcast communication message; and the processor is configured to decode information about an NPN service.

[0069] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the NID portion has an allocation mode value and an NID value; and in order to receive NPN information, the processor is configured to detect a value of the allocation mode value that indicates that the NID value encodes information about an NPN service.

[0070] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to send a request for information regarding NPN services to the RAN.

[0071] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to send a request for NPN service information by setting the appropriate bits of SIB-10 or a new SIB in the RRCSystemInfoRequest-IE field of the request message RRCSystemInfoRequest as needed.

[0072] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to receive NPN service information as a bit string that is decoded by the UE.

[0073] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless transceiver is configured to receive NPN service information in human-readable clear text format.

[0074] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to receive information in the field within the modified SIB-10 message.

[0075] In at least some of the embodiments described above, the wireless communication network is a 5G network; and the wireless transceiver is configured to receive information in the field within a new SIB message.

[0076] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as circuit-based processes (analog, digital, or a hybrid of both analog and digital) including possible implementation forms such as a single integrated circuit (such as an ASIC or FPGA), a multi-chip module, a single card, or a multi-card circuit pack. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, various functions of the circuit elements may also be implemented as processing blocks within a software program. Such software may be employed, for example, in a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a general-purpose computer, or other processor.

[0077] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, this disclosure may be embodied as apparatus (e.g., including systems, machines, devices, computer program products and / or etc.), as methods (e.g., including business processes, computer implementation processes and / or etc.), or as any combination thereof. Accordingly, embodiments of this disclosure may take the form of fully software-based embodiments (including firmware and resident software, microcode, etc.), fully hardware embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware embodiments (which may generally be referred to herein as “systems”).

[0078] Embodiments of the Disclosure may be expressed in the form of methods and apparatus for carrying out the methods. Embodiments of the Disclosure may also be expressed in the form of program code embodied on tangible media such as magnetic recording media, optical recording media, solid-state memory, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or other non-temporary machine-readable storage media, and when the program code is loaded into a machine such as a computer and executed by it, the machine becomes an apparatus for carrying out the Disclosure. Embodiments of the Disclosure may also be expressed in the form of program code stored (including being loaded into a machine and / or executed by it) on, for example, a non-temporary machine-readable storage medium, and when the program code is loaded into a machine such as a computer and executed by it, the machine becomes an apparatus for carrying out the Disclosure. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code segment is combined with the processor to provide a unique device that operates in a manner similar to a particular logic circuit.

[0079] Any suitable processor-readable or computer-readable storage medium may be used. The storage medium may be (but not limited to) electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices. A more specific and non-exclusive list of possible storage mediums includes magnetic tape, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), or flash memory, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, and magnetic storage devices. It should be noted that the storage medium may also be paper on which the program is printed or another suitable medium, since the program may be electronically captured, for example, via optical scanning of print, then compiled and interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner (including, but not limited to, optical character recognition), and then stored in processor or computer memory. In the context of this disclosure, a suitable storage medium may be any medium that may contain or store a program for use by or connected to an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0080] The functionality of the various elements shown in the attached drawings (including any functional blocks labeled as “Processors”) may be provided through dedicated hardware and the use of hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software. Where provided by a processor, functionality may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or by multiple individual processors, some of which may be shared. Furthermore, the explicit use of the terms “Processor” or “Controller” should not be interpreted as referring exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and thus implicitly and without limitation may include digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage for storing software. Other conventional and / or custom-specified hardware may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the attached drawings are merely conceptual. Their functionality may be performed through the operation of programmed logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of programmed control and dedicated logic, or even manually, and the specific technique may be selected by the implementer so as to be understood more specifically from the context.

[0081] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, each number and range should be interpreted as an approximation, as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value or range.

[0082] It will be further understood that various modifications to the details, materials, and arrangement of parts described and shown in order to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[0083] In this specification, including any claim, the term “each” may be used to refer to one or more defined characteristics of a plurality of previously enumerated elements or processes. When used with the open term “including,” the enumeration of the term “each” does not exclude additional unenumerated elements or processes. It is understood that an apparatus may have additional unenumerated elements, and a method may have additional unenumerated processes, where the additional unenumerated elements or processes do not have one or more defined characteristics.

[0084] The use of figure numbers and / or figure reference labels within a claim is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the subject matter of the claim in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claim. Such use should not be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of the claim to embodiments shown in the corresponding figures.

[0085] It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods described herein do not necessarily have to be performed in the order described, and that the order of steps in such methods is merely illustrative. Similarly, additional steps may be included in such methods, and some steps may be omitted or combined in methods conforming to various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0086] Some elements (if any) in the following method claims are enumerated in a specific sequence having corresponding labeling, but unless the claim enumeration otherwise implies a specific sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be restricted to being implemented in such specific sequence.

[0087] Accordingly, all references mentioned herein are invoked by reference, in whole or by substitute, to provide the present disclosure (in particular).

[0088] Any reference herein to “one embodiment” or “embodiment” means that any particular feature, structure or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The occurrence of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it necessarily refer to another embodiment or alternative embodiment of another embodiment that is not necessarily mutually exclusive. The same applies to the term “implementation.”

[0089] The embodiments covered by the claims of this application are limited to (1) embodiments made possible by this specification and (2) embodiments corresponding to legal subject matter. Embodiments that are not feasible and embodiments corresponding to non-legal subject matter are expressly abandoned, even if they fall within the scope of the claims.

[0090] As used herein and in the claims, the term “provide” relating to an apparatus or system, device or component includes designing or manufacturing an apparatus, system, device or component; having an apparatus, system, device or component designed or manufactured; and / or acquiring an apparatus, system, device or component by purchase, lease, rental or other contractual agreement.

[0091] Unless otherwise specified herein, the use of ordinal adjectives such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to refer to one of several similar objects merely indicates that various instances of such similar objects are being referred to, and that the similar objects thus referred to must be in a corresponding order or sequence in time, space, order, or any other way.

Claims

1. A wireless access network (RAN) of a wireless communication network, The RAN includes a wireless transceiver, a backhaul transceiver, and a processor configured to control the operation of the wireless and backhaul transceivers. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information about NPN services provided by the Private Network (NPN) supported by the wireless communication network to the user equipment (UE); The wireless transceiver is configured to receive an onboarding request from the UE in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The backhaul transceiver is configured to forward the onboarding request to the onboarding network (OBN) of the wireless communication network; The backhaul transceiver is configured to receive the UE's NPN certificate from the OBN; and The wireless transceiver is configured to transfer the NPN certificate to the UE. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information regarding the NPN service within the broadcasted message to the UE. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; The aforementioned NPN is a standalone private network (SNPN) having an SNPN identifier (SNPN-ID) having a network identifier (NID) portion; and The processor is configured to encode information about the NPN service within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in the broadcasted message, in a RAN.

2. The aforementioned network identifier has an assignment mode value and an NID value; and The RAN according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to assign to the assignment mode value a value that indicates the NID value encodes the information relating to the NPN service in order to transmit the NPN information.

3. A wireless access network (RAN) of a wireless communication network, The RAN includes a wireless transceiver, a backhaul transceiver, and a processor configured to control the operation of the wireless and backhaul transceivers. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information about NPN services provided by the Private Network (NPN) supported by the wireless communication network to the user equipment (UE); The wireless transceiver is configured to receive an onboarding request from the UE in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The backhaul transceiver is configured to forward the onboarding request to the onboarding network (OBN) of the wireless communication network; The backhaul transceiver is configured to receive the UE's NPN certificate from the OBN; and The wireless transceiver is configured to transfer the NPN certificate to the UE. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the information relating to the NPN service to the UE in response to receiving a request for the information from the UE, before onboarding to the NPN, in a RAN.

4. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The RAN according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive the request for NPN service information by setting, as necessary, the appropriate bits required for SIB-10 or a new SIB in the RRCSystemInfoRequest-IE field of the request message RRCSystemInfoRequest.

5. The RAN according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the NPN service information as a bit string decoded by the UE.

6. The RAN according to claim 5, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the NPN service information in human-readable clear text format.

7. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The RAN according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit information in one or more fields within a modified SIB-10 message.

8. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The RAN according to claim 3, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the information in one or more fields of a new SIB message as one or more segments.

9. A method for a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless communication network, wherein the RAN includes a wireless transceiver, a backhaul transceiver, and a processor that controls the operation of the wireless and backhaul transceivers, the method is The wireless transceiver transmits information regarding NPN services provided by the NPN (Non-Public Network) supported by the wireless communication network to the user equipment (UE); The wireless transceiver receives an onboarding request from the UE in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The backhaul transceiver forwards the onboarding request to the onboarding network (OBN) of the wireless communication network; The backhaul transceiver receives the NPN certificate of the UE from the OBN; The wireless transceiver transfers the NPN certificate to the UE; The wireless transceiver transmits information regarding the NPN service in the broadcasted message to the UE; and The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; The aforementioned NPN is a standalone private network (SNPN) having an SNPN identifier (SNPN-ID) having a network identifier (NID) portion; and A method comprising the processor encoding information about the NPN service within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in the broadcasted message.

10. User equipment (UE) of a wireless communication network having a wireless access network (RAN), wherein the UE includes a wireless transceiver and a processor. The wireless transceiver is configured to receive from the RAN information regarding NPN services provided by the Private Network (NPN) supported by the wireless communication network; The wireless transceiver is configured to receive an onboarding request to the RAN in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The wireless transceiver is configured to receive the NPN certificate of the UE from the RAN; and The processor is configured to register with the NPN, The wireless transceiver is configured to receive the information relating to the NPN service in the broadcast communication message from the RAN. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; The aforementioned NPN is a standalone private network (SNPN) having an SNPN identifier (SNPN-ID) which has a network identifier (NID) portion; The wireless transceiver is configured to receive information about the NPN service encoded within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in the broadcasted message; and The processor is configured to decode the information relating to the NPN service, and the user equipment (UE) is configured accordingly.

11. The aforementioned NID portion has an assignment mode value and an NID value; and The UE according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to detect a value of the assignment mode value that indicates the NID value encodes the information relating to the NPN service in order to receive the NPN information.

12. User equipment (UE) of a wireless communication network having a wireless access network (RAN), wherein the UE includes a wireless transceiver and a processor, The wireless transceiver is configured to receive from the RAN information regarding NPN services provided by the Private Network (NPN) supported by the wireless communication network; The wireless transceiver is configured to receive an onboarding request to the RAN in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The wireless transceiver is configured to receive the NPN certificate of the UE from the RAN; and The processor is configured to register with the NPN, User equipment (UE) wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to send a request for the information relating to the NPN service to the RAN before onboarding to the NPN.

13. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The UE according to claim 12, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the request for NPN service information by setting, as necessary, appropriate bits of SIB-10 or a new SIB in the RRCSystemInfoRequest-IE field of the request message RRCSystemInfoRequest.

14. The wireless transceiver is configured to receive the NPN service information as a bit string that is decoded by the UE, according to claim 12.

15. The UE according to claim 12, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive the NPN service information in human-readable clear text format.

16. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The UE according to claim 12, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive the information in the field within the modified SIB-10 message.

17. The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; and The UE according to claim 12, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive the information in the field within a new SIB message.

18. A method for user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication network having a wireless access network (RAN), wherein the UE includes a wireless transceiver and a processor, and the method is: The wireless transceiver receives from the RAN information regarding NPN services provided by a private network (NPN) supported by the wireless communication network; The wireless transceiver receives an onboarding request to the RAN in order to onboard the UE to the NPN; The wireless transceiver receives the NPN certificate of the UE from the RAN; and The processor registers with the NPN; The wireless transceiver receives the information relating to the NPN service in the broadcast communication message from the RAN; The aforementioned wireless communication network is a 5G network; The aforementioned NPN is a standalone private network (SNPN) having an SNPN identifier (SNPN-ID) which has a network identifier (NID) portion; The wireless transceiver receives information about the NPN service encoded within the NID portion of the SNPN-ID in the broadcasted message; and The processor decodes the information relating to the NPN service. Methods that include...

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