Base Station Access Control Handover via CSG ID Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication technologies lack a method for seamless handover of users between home base stations (HeNBs) via the X2 interface, leading to potential unauthorized access and resource allocation issues in CSG cells, especially in hybrid access modes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for access control handover between base stations, where one base station receives an X2 interface message with CSG ID information and handover request messages carrying CSG membership information, compares the CSG IDs, and performs access control to ensure valid subscriptions, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring preferential resource allocation for subscribed users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If X2 interface handover is implemented between HNBs, then handover capability is improved, but access control security deteriorates due to lack of CSG membership verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover capabilityVSAvoidaccess control security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the source HNB perform CSG membership verification and determine CSG ID correspondence before initiating handover. The source HNB checks whether the CSG ID of the target HNB corresponds to the CSG ID of the serving cell, and only performs handover when the CSG member condition is satisfied. This preliminary verification prevents unauthorized access while enabling handover capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If CSG membership verification is performed during handover, then access control security is improved, but handover process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidhandover process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the source HNB to autonomously perform CSG membership verification and handover decision-making using locally stored CSG ID information. The source HNB checks whether the CSG ID of the target HNB corresponds to its own CSG ID and determines whether the CSG member condition is satisfied without requiring additional verification entities. This self-service approach enhances security while minimizing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If CSG ID correspondence is checked before handover, then unauthorized access is prevented, but handover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and storing CSG ID information in the source HNB before handover occurs. The CSG ID of the serving cell is stored in advance, allowing the source HNB to quickly compare it with the target HNB's CSG ID during handover preparation. This preliminary preparation enables rapid verification without significant time loss during the actual handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3013097B1Method and apparatus for allocating resources
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3013097B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3013097B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3013097B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for access control handover of a user between base stations, which includes: acquiring, by one of a first base station and a second base station, a closed subscriber group identifier CSG ID supported by the other base station and CSG membership information of a user equipment UE in the first base station; and if the CSG ID acquired by the one base station is the same as a CSG ID supported by the local base station, performing, by the one base station, access control on the UE according to the acquired CSG membership information of the UE in the fi rst base station and an access mode of the other base station. A UE without access permission is prevented from being handed over to a CSG cell, thereby ensuring a normal service of the UE in the CSG cell.