Network Registration Method for Mobile Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing GPRS and SAE network registration methods are inefficient, leading to long connection delays and unnecessary occupation of radio resources, with security flaws due to premature transmission of external network information before authentication is complete.
Innovation Solution
A network registration method that involves transmitting an attach request from the mobile station to the communication network, notifying the subscriber information management server of external network identification, setting up bearers based on this information, allocating address information, and notifying the mobile station of the external network and address details, allowing secure and efficient connection establishment without occupying radio resources unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the mobile station transmits external network information (APN) in the attach request before authentication is complete, then the connection establishment to external network is completed faster, but security flaws occur due to transmission of information before security establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network side (MME/SAE-GW) proactively determine and configure external network connection information based on subscriber profiles stored in the HSS, rather than waiting for the mobile station to provide this information. The MME retrieves the subscriber's default APN and other external network parameters from the HSS during the attach procedure, and the SAE-GW pre-configures the bearer with the appropriate PDN gateway address. This allows the mobile station to receive complete connection information without having to transmit sensitive external network information before authentication is complete, thus resolving the security issue while maintaining fast connection establishment.
2Loss of time
If a U-plane transmission path is set up between mobile station and gateway apparatus for external network in the attach procedure, then connection to external network is completed faster, but radio resources are unnecessarily occupied for mobile stations that do not start communications immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by establishing the control plane connection (MM procedure) completely during the attach procedure, while making the U-plane transmission path establishment conditional and deferred. The MME determines during the attach procedure whether the mobile station actually needs external network connectivity based on the requested service type and subscriber profile. Only if needed does the MME trigger the SAE-GW to establish the U-plane transmission path to the PDN gateway. This selective approach ensures fast connection for mobile stations that need immediate communication while avoiding unnecessary radio resource occupation for those that don't, thus resolving the contradiction between connection speed and resource efficiency.
3Reliability
If the attach procedure includes both MM procedure and SM procedure processed in series as in GPRS, then the registration procedure is complete and thorough, but it takes a long period of time to complete the establishment of connection to external network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the SM procedure into the MM procedure, allowing both mobility management and session management to be handled in a unified attach procedure. The MME performs both MM authentication and SM bearer establishment functions, and the SAE-GW simultaneously handles PDN gateway selection and IP address allocation during the same attach transaction. This merging eliminates the sequential processing delay of GPRS where MM and SM were separate phases, enabling the mobile station to achieve both registered status and external network connectivity in a single procedure, thus resolving the contradiction between thoroughness and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A network registration method according to the present invention includes the steps of (A) transmitting, from a mobile station (UE), an attach request; (B) notifying, at a subscriber information management server (HSS), a switching apparatus of external network identification information which is identification information of an external network associated with the mobile station (UE) having transmitted the attach request; (C) setting up, at the switching apparatus, a bearer between a gateway apparatus and the mobile station on the basis of the notified external network identification information; (D) allocating, at the gateway apparatus, address information with which the mobile station connects to the external network, to the mobile station; and (E) notifying, at the switching apparatus, the external network identification information and the address information, to the mobile station (UE).