Dual-Network UE Registration Using Unified Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective method to support user equipment (UE) in registering with both a non-public mobile communication network and a public mobile communication network, particularly in scenarios where the UE requires access to specialized services provided by the non-public network while being managed by a separate network operator.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable a UE to register with both a non-public and a public network by transmitting subscriber ID information for both networks to the core network, performing authentication procedures, and managing session and policy information to facilitate access to both networks through a single registration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs separate registration procedures for public and non-public networks, then network security and management control are improved, but the registration process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate registration procedures for public and non-public networks into a single unified registration process. The network device receives one registration request from the UE that contains both public network subscription ID and non-public network subscription ID, performs both authentication procedures simultaneously, and returns a single registration response. This merging approach maintains security requirements for both networks while reducing process complexity and time consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE registers with both public and non-public networks separately, then access to specialized services is ensured, but the registration time and procedure duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE include both public network subscription ID and non-public network subscription ID in the initial registration request message before any authentication procedures begin. The network device is pre-configured with both subscription IDs and can immediately initiate parallel authentication procedures without waiting for sequential completion, thereby reducing overall registration time while ensuring access to both public and specialized non-public services.
3Reliability
If the network performs separate authentication procedures for public and non-public networks, then authentication security is improved, but the processing overhead and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by performing both public network authentication and non-public network authentication procedures in parallel simultaneously rather than sequentially. The network device receives a single registration request containing both subscription IDs and initiates both authentication processes at the same time, maintaining the security requirements of separate authentication while eliminating the idle time and redundant processing overhead associated with sequential execution.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method of registering a user equipment (UE) at a second network via a first network, the method including: receiving, from the UE, a registration request message including at least one of first network identification (ID) information, ID information of the UE in the first network, second network ID information, and ID information of the UE in the second network; selecting an authentication server function (AUSF) of the first network which is configured to perform a first authentication procedure of service subscription authentication for the UE in the first network; performing the first authentication procedure with the AUSF of the first network and unified data management (UDM) of the first network; determining, based on a result of the first authentication procedure, whether to perform a second authentication procedure of service subscription authentication for the UE in the second network; performing, based on a result of the determining, the second authentication procedure with an AUSF of the second network and UDM of the second network; and transmitting, to the UE, a registration acceptance message including information of at least one of the result of the first authentication procedure and a result of the second authentication procedure.