Multi-Operator Profile System for Wireless Network Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of coordinating between different wireless networks owned by various operators, which use diverse protocols and messaging schemes, hinders interoperability and complicates the registration and provisioning of User Equipment (UEs) with multiple profiles.
Innovation Solution
A Multi-Operator Profile System (MOPS) is introduced, which provides a unified interface for UEs to register with multiple wireless networks, allowing for simplified communication and provisioning across networks with different protocols, using a cloud-based system that maintains service parameters and policies, and manages multiple profiles within UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UEs register with multiple wireless networks using diverse protocols and messaging schemes, then network coverage and service options are improved, but system complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a profile management system as an intermediary layer between UEs and multiple wireless networks. This system maintains profile information containing credentials for different networks and manages the complexity of coordinating between networks with diverse protocols, thereby improving network access capability while containing system complexity through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile management system provides universal functionality by serving as a single point of contact for multiple wireless networks. It can authenticate UEs with different networks using different protocols through a unified interface, making the system adaptable to various networks without increasing UE complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UEs are provisioned with multiple profiles for different networks, then service options and network coverage are improved, but provisioning complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The profile management system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring profile information containing credentials for multiple networks before the UE needs to access them. This allows rapid provisioning and switching between networks without time-consuming authentication negotiations at the moment of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service provisioning where the profile management system automatically manages multiple profiles and credentials without requiring manual intervention for each network registration. This reduces provisioning time and complexity through automated profile configuration and management.
3Reliability
If specialized communication protocols are used between network operators, then network security and operator control are improved, but interoperability and coordination ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The profile management system acts as a secure intermediary that handles authentication and credential management between UEs and networks. It maintains network security by securely storing and managing credentials while simplifying coordination through a unified interface that abstracts away the complexity of diverse network protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A device described herein may maintain a sets of service parameters respectively associated with multiple networks. The device may receive a request, including may include an identifier of a User Equipment (“UE”), to register the UE with a particular network. The device may identify, based on the request, a particular set of service parameters associated with the particular network, and may output an indication, to the particular network, indicating the identifier of the UE and the identified particular set of service parameters. The particular network may select or generate a set of network credentials based on receiving the indication, which may be used by the UE to access the particular network. The particular network may provide service to the UE in accordance with the particular set of service parameters.