Local Network Identity Selection for Flexible User Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing local network connection methods lack flexibility, often connecting user equipment to undesired networks by default, and require costly deployment of dedicated control plane nodes for each network.
Innovation Solution
User equipment sends a location area identity to the control plane node, which determines and sends local network identities for user selection, allowing autonomous choice of desired networks, and enables a single control plane node to serve multiple adjacent areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated control plane node is deployed for each local network, then connection management and security authentication are improved, but deployment costs and device complexity increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane node is designed to serve multiple local networks simultaneously. When the network element determines that multiple local network identifiers correspond to adjacent location areas, it enables inter-working between these networks, allowing a single control plane node to handle connection management for multiple networks rather than requiring dedicated nodes for each network.
2Speed
If default connection establishment is used, then connection speed is improved, but connection flexibility and user choice are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts between automatic connection and user-selected connection based on conditions. The network element can automatically establish connections when conditions are met (improving speed), while also providing user selection capability when multiple network options are available (improving flexibility). This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing both modes of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about available local network options. The network element sends information about multiple local networks to the terminal device, enabling the user to make informed decisions about which network to connect to, thus maintaining flexibility while still offering automated fallback options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple local networks are planned in the same location area, then network coverage and service quality are improved, but control plane node deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the control functions for multiple local networks into a single control plane node. By enabling inter-working between local networks when their identifiers indicate adjacent location areas, the system combines what would traditionally require separate control plane nodes into one shared node, reducing deployment complexity while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E
AI summary
The present invention discloses a local network connection method, apparatus, and system, and pertains to the field of communications technologies. The method is applied to a control plane node, and includes: receiving a location area identity sent by an access node, where the location area identity is sent by the access node when receiving an access request sent by user equipment, and is used to indicate a location area in which the user equipment is currently located; determining at least one local network identity based on the location area identity, and sending the at least one local network identity to the user equipment; receiving a connection establishment request sent by the user equipment, where the connection establishment request carries a first local network identity selected by the user equipment based on the at least one local network identity; and establishing a connection between the user equipment and a first local network based on the first local network identity. In the present invention, the user equipment may autonomously select, based on the at least one received local network identity, a local network that needs to be accessed, so that a local network connection mode is extended, and flexibility is improved.