Gateway Function for Cellular Connection Over Non-Cellular Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in establishing secure cellular connections over non-cellular access, particularly due to issues with data continuity and security during user equipment (UE) mobility between non-3GPP and 3GPP access networks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a user equipment (UE) securing data transmissions over non-3GPP access by connecting to a 5G core network via a gateway function (GWF), which establishes security for data transmissions between the UE and a network entity, such as a gNB central unit, thereby avoiding the need for additional security mechanisms at the UE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional security mechanisms are implemented at the UE for non-3GPP access, then data transmission security is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway function as an intermediary between the UE and the 5G core network. This gateway establishes security contexts and performs authentication, thereby transferring the security mechanism complexity from the UE to the network side. The UE only needs to communicate with the gateway through existing access stratum procedures, while the gateway handles the complex security operations including context establishment and authentication management.
2Productivity
If existing access stratum layer framework is leveraged for security establishment, then processing and signaling resources are conserved, but security establishment over non-cellular access may be insufficient without additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing access stratum layer framework universal by enabling it to handle both traditional cellular access and non-3GPP access security establishment. The gateway function extends the existing security context establishment procedures to work over non-cellular accesses without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms. This allows the same framework to serve multiple access types, conserving resources while maintaining security capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UE mobility between non-3GPP and 3GPP access networks is supported, then network adaptability is improved, but data continuity and security maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway function serves as a stable intermediary that maintains security contexts regardless of which access network (3GPP or non-3GPP) the UE is currently using. When the UE moves between access networks, the gateway preserves the established security contexts and continues to provide secure data transmission. This intermediary approach decouples the security management from the specific access network, enabling seamless mobility while maintaining data continuity and security.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may establish a first non-cellular connection with a first access point. The UE may transmit, to a first gateway entity via the first access point, a connection setup request for a first cellular connection between the UE and a first network entity. The UE may receive a connection setup message from the first gateway entity via the first access point. The UE may transmit a connection complete message to the first gateway entity via the first access point. Numerous other aspects are described.