5G Non-3GPP Access Selection Without NAS Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UEs that do not support the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol over non-3GPP access networks face challenges in establishing connectivity with 5G core networks, as they cannot perform the necessary access network selection and slice type selection required for data connections.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a list of available PLMNs and non-3GPP access networks, selecting a suitable PLMN and network slice, and initiating a connectivity procedure without using the NAS protocol, facilitated by interworking functions that support N1, N2, and N3 interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UEs use non-3GPP access networks to connect to 5G core networks, then connectivity flexibility and alternative access paths are improved, but compatibility and protocol support are worsened because not all UEs support the NAS protocol over non-3GPP access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary function that translates between NAS protocol messages and non-NAS protocol messages, enabling UEs without NAS support to communicate with the 5G core network through non-3GPP access. This mediator converts protocol incompatibility into compatibility, allowing the UE to connect via non-3GPP access while maintaining reliable NAS-based communication with the core network.
2Ease of operation
If UEs without NAS support attempt to connect to 5G core networks via non-3GPP access, then access network selection capability is improved, but connection establishment reliability is worsened due to lack of NAS protocol support
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary function performs protocol translation, converting NAS messages from the core network into non-NAS messages that UEs without NAS support can understand and process. This enables reliable connection establishment by bridging the protocol gap, allowing UEs to perform access network selection and connection establishment without native NAS support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports both NAS and non-NAS protocol connections over non-3GPP access, then device compatibility is improved, but system complexity is worsened due to dual protocol support requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary function consolidates protocol translation capabilities into a single network-side component, avoiding the need to duplicate protocol handling logic across multiple network elements. This centralized approach achieves broad device compatibility while minimizing system complexity by creating a single point of protocol conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary function is designed to handle multiple protocol translation scenarios universally, supporting both NAS-to-non-NAS and non-NAS-to-NAS translations, as well as serving different types of non-3GPP access networks. This multi-functional design achieves broad compatibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for access network selection for UEs not supporting the Non-Access Stratum (“NAS”) protocol over non-3GPP access. One method includes creating a first list of available PLMNs, each PLMN connectable via a non-3GPP access network using a 5G connectivity without the NAS protocol. The method includes selecting a first PLMN from the first list and creating a second list of available non-3GPP access networks. The method includes selecting a first non-3GPP access network from the second list and beginning a connectivity procedure over the first non-3GPP access network, where the connectivity procedure creates a data connection for the apparatus via the first PLMN, and where the connectivity procedure does not use the NAS protocol.