AMF CAG Support Indicator for 5G Registration Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods do not define the behavior of networks that support or do not support the Closed Access Group (CAG) feature when interacting with User Equipment (UE) that either supports or does not support CAG, leading to UE being stuck in a loop of registration attempts and failing to access 5G services.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) determining whether a registration request message from the UE includes a CAG support indicator, and based on this, sending appropriate 5GMM cause values to the UE, such as 5GMM cause #7, #11, or #27, to enable the UE to select alternative cells for service access without retrying non-CAG cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the AMF sends 5GMM cause #76 to the UE to indicate CAG authorization issues, then the UE is informed of the CAG-related rejection, but the UE cannot understand the cause and discards the message, leading to repeated registration attempts and service access failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration success rateVSAvoidUE understanding of rejection cause
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the 5GMM cause value from #76 (CAG-specific) to alternative values (#7, #11, or #27) that have general meanings understandable by all UEs. This parameter substitution resolves the information loss by ensuring the UE can comprehend the rejection reason and take appropriate actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the UE repeatedly attempts registration on the same non-CAG cell after timer expiry, then the UE follows the conventional procedure, but the UE gets stuck in a loop and cannot access 5G services

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE registration procedureVSAvoidservice access delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback mechanism where the AMF provides specific cause values (#7, #11, or #27) to the UE that indicate whether alternative cells or PLMNs should be selected. This feedback prevents the UE from blindly retrying on the same cell, breaking the registration loop and reducing access delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the UE continue retrying on the same cell (conventional approach), the patent inverts the behavior by directing the UE to select alternative cells or PLMNs based on the cause value received, thereby breaking the problematic registration loop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network does not define behavior for handling UEs with different CAG support capabilities, then the system maintains flexibility, but the network cannot properly differentiate between CAG-capable and non-CAG-capable UEs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidUE capability detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter (CAG support indicator) in the registration request message that allows precise detection of UE CAG capability. This parameter addition enables the network to accurately differentiate between CAG-capable and non-CAG-capable UEs while maintaining system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3997915B1Method and system for managing closed access group feature for user equipment and network
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3997915B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3997915B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3997915B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method for managing a Closed Access Group (CAG) feature using an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) server. The method includes receiving a registration request message from a User Equipment (UE) for registering for a CAG subscription. The method includes determining that the UE is subscribed to access the network through a CAG cell only. The method includes determining whether the registration request message includes a CAG support indicator. The method includes determining whether the UE supports the CAG feature based on the CAG support indicator. The method includes sending either a registration accept message including a CAG information list to the UE when the UE supports the CAG feature, or a registration reject message including a 5GMM cause value other than a 5GMM cause #76 to the UE when the UE does not support the CAG feature.