CAG Configuration Update via DL NAS for NPN Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless mobile communication networks face challenges in providing localized services effectively, particularly in managing access control and configuration updates for Non-Public Networks (NPNs) within Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs, as existing solutions do not adequately prevent unauthorized access to specific network slices and fail to efficiently handle changes in Closed Access Group (CAG) configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed where User Equipment (UE) receives updated CAG-related configurations via DL NAS messages, allowing it to determine supported CAG-IDs, validity information, and access control criteria, leading to either entering a LIMITED-SERVICE state or a PLMN-SEARCH state based on these determinations, ensuring proper access control and network selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is used to provide localized services in NPNs, then service customization and access control are improved, but unauthorized access prevention and configuration management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments CAG configuration information into separate lists (allowed CAG-IDs list and restricted CAG-IDs list) within the DL NAS message. This segmentation allows the UE to independently manage authorized and restricted network access identifiers, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining fine-grained access control for localized services in NPNs
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-configures the UE with CAG-related information including allowed and restricted CAG-IDs lists before the UE attempts to access NPNs. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to autonomously perform access control decisions without real-time network intervention, simplifying configuration management while ensuring secure service customization
2Productivity
If CAG configuration updates are sent via DL NAS messages, then access control efficiency is improved, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple CAG configuration parameters (allowed CAG-IDs list, restricted CAG-IDs list, and indication whether UE is only allowed to access 5GS via CAG cells) into a single DL NAS message structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate signaling messages required, decreasing network signaling overhead while maintaining efficient access control updates for NPN localized services
3Speed
If UE autonomously determines access based on CAG-IDs, then network selection speed is improved, but access control security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE autonomously determines access eligibility by comparing received CAG-IDs against its stored allowed and restricted lists, then performs random access only when criteria are met. This autonomous feedback loop enables rapid network selection while maintaining security through pre-configured access control lists, balancing speed and reliability for NPN localized service access
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling updated CAG related configuration is proposed. UE receives an updated CAG related configuration in a DL NAS message via a CAG cell, which broadcasts a list of supported CAG-IDs of the current network. UE may also receive an updated CAG related configuration in a DL NAS message via a non-CAG cell of the current network. The UE examines the list of allowed CAG-IDs in the updated CAG related configuration, determines whether they are supported by the CAG cell, whether they are associated with validity information, whether the validity criteria are met, whether the UE is ONLY allowed to access 5GS via CAG cells, and whether the UE has any emergency PDU session. Depending on the determination, the UE then either enters LIMITED-SERVICE and search for suitable cell in the current network, or enters PLMN-SEARCH state and applies PLMN selection process.