Inactive-State Security Context Transfer for Satellite Store-and-Forward
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems struggle with integrating satellite networks into terrestrial networks, particularly in scenarios where satellite-gateway connectivity is intermittently unavailable, necessitating methods for 'Store and Forward' (S&F) operations to provide communication services for delay-tolerant devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless terminals and access nodes with receiver and processor circuitry to manage S&F operations, including access control schemes that allow or bar access attempts based on S&F service status and conditions, ensuring efficient data storage and forwarding when feeder links are unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If satellite-gateway feeder link connectivity is assumed to be always available, then network architecture can be simplified, but service reliability deteriorates when feeder link becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the access node store user data and control plane messages in advance before feeder link becomes unavailable. The network prepares for potential link failure by pre-storing data at the access node, so that when the feeder link fails, service continuity is maintained without requiring complex reconfiguration of the network architecture.
2Reliability
If Store and Forward operation is implemented for delay-tolerant services, then service availability improves during feeder link outages, but access control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different access control mechanisms for different service types. Delay-tolerant services receive Store and Forward treatment with relaxed access control, while other services maintain standard access control. This allows the system to improve service availability for delay-tolerant applications without uniformly increasing access control complexity across all services.
Solution Approach 2:
The access node acts as an intermediary that buffers data between the wireless terminal and the core network during feeder link outages. It stores user data and control plane messages locally, mediating between the available service at the terminal and the unavailable service at the core network, thereby improving service availability without requiring complex end-to-end access control changes.
3Productivity
If access control schemes are implemented for S&F service, then resource utilization optimizes, but access decision complexity increases at the wireless terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the access node autonomously determine whether to store data based on local conditions such as feeder link availability and storage capacity. The access node makes access control decisions without requiring complex decision logic at the wireless terminal, thereby optimizing resource utilization while keeping terminal complexity low. The terminal simply follows standard access procedures while the access node independently manages S&F operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless terminal that communicates with a first access node comprises receiver circuitry and processor circuitry. The receiver circuitry is configured to receive, from the first access node, a message comprising (1) an instruction to enter an inactive state, and (2) context transfer status indicating that a security context of the wireless terminal is transferred to at least one target access node. The processor circuitry is configured to transition, based on the instruction, to the inactive state; store the security context, and; upon camping on a cell served by a second access node, determine, based on the context transfer status, whether the security context is transferred to the cell.