Gateway System Media Independent Handover Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home gateway devices fail to provide media independent seamless handover in mobile environments, leading to service discontinuity and inability to authenticate unconnected User Equipments (UEs) for access to various communication media networks.
Innovation Solution
A gateway system with a communication media access module, Media Independent Handover Functions module, and authentication module that enables seamless handover between different communication networks by sharing authentication information and selecting suitable networks based on service requirements, ensuring uninterrupted access to service networks in mobile environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing home gateway devices are used in fixed LAN environments, then network access is provided for connected terminal equipments, but media independent seamless handover cannot be implemented in mobile environments, leading to service discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is enhanced with multi-functional capabilities including authentication module, handover management module, and media access control module. These modules enable the gateway to handle both fixed and mobile environment requirements, providing universal access across different communication media networks (WiFi, 3G, 4G, satellite) and ensuring service continuity during handover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication module performs preliminary authentication of terminal equipments before handover occurs. Authentication information is obtained and stored in advance, and the handover management module pre-establishes connections with target networks. This preliminary action ensures that when handover is triggered, the terminal can seamlessly switch to the target network without service interruption.
2Reliability
If authentication is required for network access, then secure access is ensured, but unauthenticated User Equipments cannot access service networks
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication module enables terminal equipments to perform self-authentication by providing authentication information obtained from authenticated terminals. Once a terminal is successfully authenticated, its authentication information can be shared with other terminals in the same network environment, allowing them to access service networks without requiring separate authentication processes, thus maintaining security while improving access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary between terminals and service networks. The authentication module mediates the authentication process by verifying terminal credentials and managing authentication information sharing. This intermediary role ensures that security requirements are met while enabling multiple terminals to access the network through centralized authentication management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If authentication information is shared among User Equipments, then access flexibility is improved, but security management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication module combines multiple functions including authentication verification, authentication information storage, and authentication information sharing into a single integrated module. This merging of functions simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the capability to share authentication information among multiple terminals. The handover management module similarly integrates handover decision-making and execution functions, reducing complexity compared to having separate modules for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway system for implementing access to various media is provided in the invention, and the gateway system includes: a communication media access module, for establishing a communication link with the corresponding media access network; a Media Independent Handover Functions module, for seamless handover between accesses to various media; and a handover decision module, for selecting a target network for the seamless handover. The gateway system may also include an authentication module, for sharing the authentication information of the User Equipment. Two methods for implementing access to various media are further disclosed in the invention. By the provided gateway system and methods, the User Equipment can access various media via the gateway system, seamlessly hand over between accesses to various media and achieve the access to a service network using the shared authentication information.