Femtocell Location Verification via CLF and ALLI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Femtocells, used for indoor coverage, lack effective mechanisms to ensure authorized location verification and security, as users can freely move them, posing security threats and making it difficult for operators to control their placement and usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a Connectivity Session Location and Repository Function (CLF) to obtain an Access Line Location Identifier (ALLI) from the IP address of a Femtocell, comparing it to a stored value to verify if the device's location has changed, thereby ensuring the Femtocell's validity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Femtocell is provided to users for free and allows easy installation, then ease of operation is improved, but device reliability deteriorates because users can move the device freely without authorization control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the Femtocell device continuously reports its location information (IP address, macro cell ID) to the network operator, who verifies this information against authorized location data. This closed-loop feedback system enables the operator to detect and control unauthorized movements while allowing users easy installation and mobility within authorized locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring authorized location information (IP address, macro cell ID) for each Femtocell device before deployment. This pre-establishment of location parameters enables automatic verification when the device connects to the network, preventing unauthorized movements without complicating the installation process for users.
2Reliability
If location verification mechanism is implemented to control Femtocell placement, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the Femtocell device to automatically perform location verification without user intervention. The device autonomously reports its location parameters (IP address, macro cell ID) to the network operator and receives verification results, eliminating the need for manual configuration or user awareness of the verification process, thus maintaining simplicity despite enhanced control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using existing network infrastructure components (IP addressing system, macro cell identification) for location verification. These existing elements serve dual purposes: normal network operation and location authorization verification, avoiding the need for dedicated verification hardware or protocols that would increase device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If IP address and macro cell information are used for location verification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information occurs due to potential IP address changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the relationship between the Femtocell device and its authorized location parameters (IP address, macro cell ID) before deployment. This pre-configuration ensures that even if IP addresses change dynamically, the network operator can verify the current IP against the pre-authorized location information, maintaining verification accuracy without requiring permanent static IP assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring and verifying location parameters (IP address, macro cell ID) during network operation. This ongoing verification process detects IP address changes and compares them against authorized location data, ensuring measurement precision is maintained even when IP addresses are dynamically assigned or changed, as long as they remain within authorized locations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of location positioning of a Radio Access Point (AP) is provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes: querying the Connectivity Session Location and Repository Function (CLF) according to the IP address of the AP to obtain the Access Line Location Identifier (ALLI) of the AP to access a network. The ALLI is configured to identify the line location of the AP. The location of the AP is determined on the basis of the ALLI. A method of location verification of an AP is provided herein in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes: the CLF is queried according to the IP address of the AP to obtain the ALLI of the AP; the location of the AP is not changed if the obtained ALLI of the AP is the same as the stored ALLI of the AP. A home register and a system are also provided herein to accurately locate and verify the location of the AP, thus checking the validity of the AP location.