HNB-GW Access Control for Core Network Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile telecommunication networks, especially under 3GPP standards, the frequent mobility of mobile devices between home base stations (HNBs) leads to a resource drain on the core network due to access control being performed there, rather than in the HNB-GW, which is more efficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the HNB-GW receives a request for relocation, determines a temporary identifier, and initiates access control using a permanent identifier obtained from the core network, allowing access control for both CSG and non-CSG enabled devices, thereby reducing core network involvement and simplifying processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access control is performed in the core network during HNB to HNB relocation, then access control authority is centralized and secure, but the core network experiences resource drain and increased load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the access control function from the core network and relocates it to the HNB-GW. The HNB-GW now performs access control checks locally using stored CSG membership information, while the core network retains ultimate authority by providing the permanent identifier and policy decisions. This extraction reduces core network load while maintaining security through distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The HNB-GW acts as an intermediary between the core network and HNBs for access control operations. It receives the permanent identifier from the core network, performs local access control checks against stored CSG membership data, and enforces decisions without requiring continuous core network involvement. This intermediary role distributes the processing load while maintaining centralized policy enforcement.
2Productivity
If access control is performed in the HNB-GW rather than the core network, then processing efficiency is improved and core network load is reduced, but system complexity increases due to distributed access control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The HNB-GW performs preliminary access control checks before relocation is finalized. By checking CSG membership in advance using the permanent identifier and stored membership data, the system prevents unnecessary relocation setup and reduces signaling overhead. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by filtering out unauthorized relocations early in the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The HNB-GW serves itself by maintaining local copies of CSG membership information and performing autonomous access control checks. It uses the permanent identifier from the core network to query its local database and make access decisions independently, reducing dependency on continuous core network communication and simplifying the interaction model.
3Reliability
If temporary identifiers are used for mobile devices during relocation, then security is improved by not exposing permanent identifiers, but additional signaling is required to obtain permanent identifiers for access control
Solution Approach 1:
The core network provides the permanent identifier to the HNB-GW in advance during the relocation setup phase, before the actual access control check. This preliminary provision of the permanent identifier allows the HNB-GW to perform local access control checks without additional signaling delays during the critical relocation decision point, while still maintaining security by not exposing the permanent identifier to the mobile device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system is described in which mobile telephones that are members of closed subscriber groups associated with home base stations are able to roam between neighbouring home node base stations in a manner that reduces load on the core network.