Mobility Management Element Integrating AAA Functions for Non-3GPP Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wireless communications network architecture requires a 3GPP AAA server for non-3GPP access, which complicates network deployment and user experience, as it necessitates separate deployment of the 3GPP AAA server and related interfaces, making it difficult to implement access from non-3GPP networks to the EPC network.

Innovation Solution

Integrating authentication and authorization functions of the 3GPP AAA server into a mobility management network element, allowing the non-3GPP access gateway to select a target mobility management network element for authentication and authorization, and registering the P-GW identity with the HSS, thereby simplifying the network architecture and enabling access from non-3GPP networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate 3GPP AAA server is deployed for non-3GPP access authentication and authorization, then authentication and authorization functions are provided, but network architecture complexity increases and deployment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication and authorization functionVSAvoidnetwork architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the 3GPP AAA server functions into the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element is configured to obtain authentication and authorization information for the non-3GPP access network from the HSS, thereby combining authentication, authorization, and mobility management functions into a single network element, eliminating the need for a separate AAA server and reducing network architecture complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobility management network element is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages mobility for 3GPP access networks and simultaneously provides authentication and authorization for non-3GPP access networks by obtaining information from the HSS. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated AAA server infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate 3GPP AAA server is deployed, then authentication and authorization are supported, but network deployment and user experience are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication and authorizationVSAvoidnetwork deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines AAA server functionality with the mobility management network element, which is already part of the standard EPC deployment. This merging eliminates the need for separate AAA server deployment and reduces the number of network elements that need to be installed, configured, and maintained, thereby simplifying network deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobility management network element autonomously obtains authentication and authorization information from the HSS using existing interfaces, without requiring separate AAA server infrastructure. The system uses existing HSS capabilities to serve the authentication and authorization function, eliminating the need for additional deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If 3GPP AAA related interfaces are removed to simplify network architecture, then deployment is simplified, but non-3GPP access functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork architectureVSAvoidnon-3GPP access function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility management network element is enhanced to perform both mobility management and authentication/authorization functions. By obtaining authentication and authorization information from the HSS, it can handle non-3GPP access without requiring separate AAA server interfaces, maintaining adaptability while simplifying architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The HSS acts as an intermediary that provides authentication and authorization information to the mobility management network element. This eliminates the need for direct AAA server interfaces while maintaining the ability to support non-3GPP access through the existing HSS interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10419935B2Access method in wireless communications network, related apparatus, and system

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides an access method in a wireless communications network. Authentication and authorization functions of a 3GPP AAA server for a non-3GPP access network can be integrated into a mobility management network element. Therefore, after UE accesses the non-3GPP access network, a non-3GPP access gateway may select the mobility management network element that supports the authentication and authorization functions for the non-3GPP access network as a target mobility management network element, and request the target mobility management network element to perform authentication and authorization for the UE. After authentication and authorization are performed for the UE, the non-3GPP access gateway may select a P-GW for the UE, and set up a PDN connection between the non-3GPP access gateway and the selected P-GW for the UE.