Common Identifier for Wireless Device Across Cellular and WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in identifying wireless devices across different networks, such as cellular and Wi-Fi, due to the lack of a common identifier before authentication, leading to resource wastage and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to generate a common identifier in Medium Access Control (MAC) address format that can be used in both cellular and Wi-Fi networks, enabling efficient identification and context linking between them without exposing permanent identities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IMSI is used as the common identifier in both cellular and WLAN networks, then identification consistency is achieved, but security is compromised because IMSI exposes permanent identity and requires Open System Authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporary identifier (such as a randomized MAC address or temporary ID) as an intermediary between the device's permanent IMSI and the network. This temporary identifier is used during WLAN connection establishment and context transfer, allowing the network to identify and track the device without exposing the permanent IMSI, thus resolving the security contradiction while maintaining identification consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the device identifier in the form of a temporary identifier that mimics the functionality of IMSI for identification purposes but does not reveal the permanent identity. This copied identifier is used in WLAN authentication and context transfer, allowing the system to maintain identification consistency without compromising security by exposing the original IMSI
2Loss of information
If Open System Authentication is performed to obtain IMSI for context linking, then identification is achieved, but time and resources are wasted due to unnecessary connection establishment and message exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing device identification and creating temporary identifiers before actual WLAN connection establishment. The network can pre-prepare context transfer mechanisms and identify devices of interest in advance, so when a connection is requested, the authentication and context linking process is already prepared, reducing the time and resources needed during actual connection establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic identification mechanisms where the system can adaptively use different identifier types and authentication approaches based on the situation. Instead of always performing full Open System Authentication, the system can dynamically switch to using pre-established temporary identifiers for quick context linking, reducing authentication time while maintaining the ability to obtain context information when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If device context is tracked across cellular and WLAN networks, then mobility management is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for context linking between different network types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identifier system that works across both cellular and WLAN networks. The temporary identifier serves multiple functions: it identifies the device in WLAN, enables context transfer, and links to cellular network context. This multi-functional approach allows mobility management across different network types without requiring separate complex systems for each network, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The proposed technology generally relates to wireless communication, and more specifically to a method for generating an identifier for a wireless device (30), a method for identifying a wireless device (30) in a wireless communication environment, a method for assisting in the exchange of information for a wireless device (30) between at least two different types of wireless networks such as a WLAN (10) and a cellular network (20), a method for linking context information of a wireless device (30) between different types of wireless networks, and a method for supporting access selection and/or mobility decision in a wireless communication environment, as well as corresponding systems, apparatuses, communication devices, network nodes, computer programs, and computer program products. The proposed technology is based on an identifier of Medium Access Control, MAC, address format, wherein the identifier of MAC address format enables identification of the wireless device (30) in the WLAN (10), and the common identifier also represents information that enables identification of the wireless device (30) in the cellular network (20).