CAG Information List for Private Network Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G New Radio (NR) technology faces challenges in efficiently accessing non-public networks, particularly in identifying and connecting to Closed Access Group (CAG) cells, which limits user equipment (UE) access to restricted groups and private networks.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a user equipment (UE) determining the presence of a CAG information list in a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), using this list to select and access CAG cells by matching the stored Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID and CAG ID with broadcast System Information Blocks (SIB) from base stations, enabling access to both normal and emergency services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE uses traditional public network access methods, then general service availability is maintained, but access to restricted private networks and closed groups is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidsecure access guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network access process into distinct phases: reading CAG information from USIM, maintaining the CAG information list, searching for CAG cells, and accessing normal or emergency services. Each phase is independently managed with specific data structures and procedures, allowing the UE to handle different access scenarios systematically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by reading and storing CAG information from the USIM card before actual network access. The CAG information list is prepared in advance with PLMN IDs and CAG IDs, enabling the UE to quickly identify and access authorized private networks without delay during the access process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE stores and processes CAG information lists, then access to closed access groups is enabled, but device memory and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivate network access capabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the CAG information from the USIM card in the form of a CAG information list, containing only the essential PLMN ID and CAG ID pairs needed for cell identification. This copy enables quick reference and matching operations without requiring the UE to access or process the complete USIM data structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating specialized data structures tailored to specific access scenarios. The CAG information list contains only the specific PLMN-CAG pairs relevant to the user, while emergency service access uses separate identification mechanisms. Each data structure is optimized for its specific purpose, reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the UE searches for CAG cells using the CAG information list, then accurate cell identification is achieved, but access time and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell identification accuracyVSAvoidnetwork access time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary matching between the CAG information list and broadcast system information before establishing full network access. The UE compares PLMN IDs and CAG IDs in advance to identify candidate CAG cells, preparing the access path before actual connection establishment, thereby reducing overall access time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by performing only the essential identification steps initially. The UE matches PLMN ID and CAG ID to identify CAG cells for normal access, and separately handles emergency service identification. Full authentication and service establishment occur only after successful cell identification, avoiding unnecessary processing during the initial search phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11632715B2Enhanced mechanism for accessing non-public network

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 HFI INNOVATION INC

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a ME/UE. The ME/UE determines whether there is a closed access group (CAG) information list stored in a USIM utilized by the ME. The CAG information list includes an entry that specifying a public land mobile network (PLMN) ID and a CAG ID that in combination uniquely identify a CAG cell. When the CAG information list is detected: the ME/UE maintains the CAG information list for selecting the CAG cell for the ME to access; the ME/UE searches for the CAG cell according to the CAG information list.