Host UE Network Slice Access Control for Tethered Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethering technology does not allow tethered devices to utilize different network slices offered by cellular networks, as it typically establishes a single upstream link and lacks network slice access controls for authenticating and authorizing devices to use, request, release, or update network slices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing access control mechanisms at a host UE device to authenticate and authorize client UE devices for accessing multiple network slices by establishing multiple concurrent upstream links and using network slice information to manage access to various network slices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tethering technology establishes a single upstream link, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different network slices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upstream connection into multiple independent upstream links, each associated with a specific network slice. This allows the tethering system to access multiple network slices simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization of link authentication and data routing.
2Reliability
If access control mechanisms are implemented for network slice authentication, then network security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The host UE automatically performs authentication with the network for each upstream link associated with different network slices. This self-service authentication mechanism eliminates the need for manual user intervention in the authentication process, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure network slice access.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication for upstream links is performed in advance before data transmission begins. The host UE establishes authenticated connections to multiple network slices beforehand, so that when tethered devices need to access specific slices, the authentication is already complete, avoiding delays during actual data transfer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple concurrent upstream links are established for different network slices, then adaptability to various network services is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host UE is designed with multi-functional capabilities to simultaneously manage multiple upstream links to different network slices. Each upstream link can be independently configured and authenticated, allowing the single host device to serve multiple tethered devices with different network slice requirements without requiring separate management for each link.
Data Source
AI summary
A first user equipment (UE) is configured to establish a tethered connection with a second UE. The first UE obtains authentication information associated with the second UE. The first UE controls, based on the authentication information, access of the second UE to at least one network slice of a plurality of network slices provided by a network. The first UE is also configured to receive a request from the second UE to access a network slice provided by the network. If the network slice is not available at first UE, the first UE sends a request to the network for the network slice. The first UE receives an authentication request associated with the network slice from the network and authenticates the second UE for the network slice.