Multi-Identity UE Registration via AMF Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G communication systems face challenges in managing multiple user identities associated with a single User Equipment (UE), including linking and unlinking user identifiers with 3GPP subscriptions, storing and updating user identity profiles, and providing enhanced services to users not part of the operator's network.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves User Equipment (UE) and core network nodes that facilitate the establishment of Radio Resource Control connections, registration requests, and user identity management. This includes transmitting identity information and multiple user identity information to access and core network nodes, and receiving registration status messages to manage user registrations effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user identities are supported per UE, then service versatility and user experience are improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user identity management by introducing distinct identity types (5G-SUCI, 5G-GUTI, 4G-GUTI, EPS-SUCI) with specific purposes and scopes. Each identity type is managed independently through dedicated procedures, allowing the system to handle multiple identities without treating them as a monolithic complex structure. This segmentation enables versatile multi-user support while maintaining manageable complexity through structured identity classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) as an intermediary that centralizes identity management operations. The AMF coordinates all identity-related procedures including registration, mobility management, and identity updates across different networks (5G and 4G). This intermediary approach consolidates complexity in a single network function rather than distributing it across multiple components, improving service versatility while controlling system complexity.
2Reliability
If comprehensive user identity profiles are stored and updated, then user-specific service quality is improved, but information security risks and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by storing different types of user identity information in appropriate locations based on their specific requirements. SUCI (Subscription Concealed Identifier) is stored in concealed form in the UDM (Unified Data Management) for security-critical operations, while GUTI (Globally Unique Temporary Identifier) is managed locally in the AMF for mobility management. This localized storage strategy ensures that sensitive information receives enhanced protection while reducing overall security risks associated with comprehensive profile storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action through the use of concealed identifiers (SUCI) before any identity information is stored or transmitted. The subscription identifier is concealed using public key cryptography before being stored in the UDM, preventing potential security breaches from occurring in the first place. This proactive security measure protects user-specific service quality while mitigating information security risks by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive identity data.
3Measurement precision
If user registration status is tracked for each user identity, then service accuracy and user differentiation are improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tracking of multiple user identities into a single registration procedure. When a UE registers, it can include multiple identity types (5G-SUCI, 5G-GUTI, 4G-GUTI, EPS-SUCI) in one registration request message to the AMF. The AMF processes all these identities together and returns a unified registration accept message containing status information for each identity. This merging approach maintains precise service accuracy by tracking each identity's status while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to separate registration procedures for each identity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present document proposes enablers for multiple user identities per UE. It defines user identity profiles for the users sharing the same UE and it allows for these user identity profiles to be provisioned in the UE's subscription information. The proposal enables multi user UEs to register at the same time for one or more users that are sharing the UE with optional extra user-specific authentication and authorisation. When registered, such a multi user UE can initiate per user PDU Session establishment and also can be paged for per user (one or more users) mobile terminated services.