5G Residential Gateway Access Control via Subscription Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G network technologies face challenges in supporting access through both mobile and fixed networks, particularly in scenarios where user equipment needs to access the 5G core network via a residential gateway acting as a relay device, requiring enhanced methods for access management and policy control.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves determining access types based on subscription data of the residential gateway, allowing user equipment to access the 5G core network through subscriber and non-subscriber access modes, with differentiated service management policies for host and guest policies, and utilizing network elements like UDM and AMF to manage access and subscription data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the 5G core network supports access through both mobile and fixed networks with relay devices, then network versatility and access modes are improved, but network complexity and policy control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess modesVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access management process into distinct phases: initial access phase where the relay device establishes connection, and terminal access phase where the terminal device connects through the relay. This segmentation allows different policy controls for different phases, simplifying the overall complex access management while supporting multiple access modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and the 5G core network. It mediates the access process by establishing its own access context first, then facilitating terminal access through it. This intermediary role simplifies the network architecture by providing a standardized access point for multiple terminals, reducing direct complexity in the core network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If differentiated service management policies are implemented for subscriber and non-subscriber access, then service control precision is improved, but policy management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control precisionVSAvoidpolicy management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing different policy control mechanisms at different locations in the network. The relay device's access context includes specific policy information for terminals accessing through it, while direct access terminals have their own policy contexts. This localized differentiation enables precise service control without requiring complex global policy management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes policy parameters based on access type (subscriber vs non-subscriber). Subscriber terminals receive policy parameters allowing full access and higher service priorities, while non-subscriber terminals receive restricted policy parameters. These parameter changes are automatically applied based on the terminal's subscription status, achieving precise service control through systematic parameter management rather than complex procedural controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple access modes are supported including relay device access, then network adaptability is improved, but access control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess modesVSAvoidaccess control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device performs preliminary action by establishing its own access context and registering with the network before any terminal devices access through it. This preliminary registration includes providing identification information that the network uses to subsequently control terminal access. By performing this preliminary action, the system simplifies subsequent access control for multiple terminals through the same relay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network receives access context information from the relay device including terminal identification and policy requirements. The network then provides policy decisions back to the relay device, which enforces these policies for terminal access. This feedback loop enables automated access control that adapts to different access modes without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3817423B1Network access method, related device, and system
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3817423B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3817423B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3817423B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a network access method. The method may include: receiving, by a data management network element, a request message from an access and mobility management function network element, where the request message includes identification information of user equipment and identification information of a residential gateway connected to the user equipment; determining, by the data management network element, subscription data of the residential gateway based on the identification information of the residential gateway; determining, by the data management network element, a subscription type of the user equipment based on the subscription data of the residential gateway and the identification information of the user equipment; and sending, by the data management network element, indication information of the subscription type to the access and mobility management function network element, where the subscription type indicates a subscriber or a non-subscriber of the residential gateway. According to this solution, the UE can access a 5GC through the residential gateway and the 5GC can support more access modes. This improves convergence of a fixed network and a mobile network.