NAS Protocol Mobility Management for Non-3GPP Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for interworking between 3GPP LTE networks and non-3GPP access networks, such as WiFi, face challenges in providing seamless handover due to the lack of non-access stratum (NAS) protocol support in non-3GPP access networks, leading to difficulties in mobility management.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a terminal receives an IP address from a non-3GPP access network gateway and applies the NAS protocol to manage mobility, using IPsec tunnels and IKE security associations to enable seamless handover across various access networks, including WiFi and Ethernet networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional interworking methods (ePDG, TWAG, IFOM) are used between 3GPP LTE network and non-3GPP access network, then network interworking is achieved, but seamless handover cannot be provided due to different mobility management protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the NAS protocol, originally designed for 3GPP LTE networks, to non-3GPP access networks (WiFi, WLAN). This allows a single unified protocol to handle mobility management across both 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, eliminating the need for separate protocol stacks (GTP-C/U for LTE, PMIPv6/GRE for WiFi). The terminal device can thus perform seamless handover between different access networks using the same NAS-based mobility management mechanism, achieving universality in protocol functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NAS protocol is not supported in non-3GPP access network, then traditional authentication methods (EAP-AKA, 802.1X) are used, but mobility management and seamless handover are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adapts the NAS protocol operation to different network types. In non-3GPP access networks, the terminal establishes an IP connection and applies NAS protocol over IP, while in 3GPP LTE networks, it uses the traditional radio interface-based NAS. The system can flexibly switch between these modes based on the access network type, maintaining mobility management capability across diverse networks. This dynamic adaptation allows NAS to function effectively in both traditional and non-traditional access networks.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-access stratum based access method and a terminal supporting the same. The terminal receives an Internet protocol (IP) address allocated from a first gateway included in a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access network. In addition, the terminal applies a non-access stratum (NAS) protocol to a first device managing mobility of the terminal through the IP address.