MuLTEfire UE Network Selection via Pre-Authentication Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks, particularly MuLTEfire systems, lack an effective method for UE to retrieve network access-related information before authenticating, leading to challenges in network selection and service provider identification in dense areas with overlapping networks.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows querying network metrics and service provider information through Non-Access Stratum signaling and Radio Resource Control messages, using temporary Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifiers and binding network identity to Fully Qualified Domain Names, enabling UE to assess network capabilities and performance before attaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UE attempts to connect to networks without prior network information query, then authentication and attachment procedures can be executed, but network selection efficiency deteriorates and unnecessary attachments occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary network information query before authentication and attachment. The UE sends ANQP queries to access points to retrieve network information including service provider details, network metrics, and capabilities. This preliminary action enables the UE to make informed network selection decisions before committing to attachment, thereby improving network selection efficiency and avoiding unnecessary attachments.
2Ease of operation
If ANQP queries are sent before authentication, then network information can be retrieved for selection decisions, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing ANQP framework from WLAN to serve dual purposes: traditional network capability discovery and MuLTEfire-specific network selection. By making ANQP universal across both WLAN and cellular networks, the patent enables MuLTEfire UEs to retrieve network information using familiar mechanisms, reducing the complexity of adding new query protocols while maintaining enhanced network selection capabilities.
3Loss of information
If network information is broadcast in cell, then all UEs can access network metrics, but information security and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific network information elements (service provider identity, network metrics, capabilities) from the broader network configuration and makes them available through targeted ANQP queries. Instead of broadcasting all network information, the system selectively provides only the necessary selection criteria to UEs, maintaining information security while ensuring network metrics availability for informed decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention addresses a method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, such as a MuLTEfire network, which implement identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information are queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network, selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing, and conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.