NG-RAN NPN Cell Identification for Faster 5G Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face challenges in efficiently identifying and connecting to non-public networks (NPNs), leading to increased power consumption, longer cell selection times, and higher connection failure rates due to unsuitable measurement configurations and lack of network information.
Innovation Solution
Implementing non-public network (NPN) cell identification and subscription processes on an access stratum (AS) level, using synchronization signals, system information blocks, and subscriber identity modules to enhance UE mobility and resource management in NPNs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the NG-RAN performs blind measurement for neighboring cells without non-public network information, then the UE can potentially discover non-public network cells, but the UE's power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The NG-RAN performs non-public network cell identification and obtains non-public network information (such as NPN cell lists, frequency lists, or measurement configurations) before configuring the UE with measurement configurations. This preliminary action allows the UE to perform targeted measurements only on relevant non-public network cells, avoiding blind measurements across all frequencies and significantly reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable cell discovery
Solution Approach 2:
The NG-RAN acts as an intermediary between the core network and the UE, obtaining non-public network information from the core network and translating it into optimized measurement configurations for the UE. This intermediary role enables the UE to efficiently discover non-public network cells without performing exhaustive blind measurements, balancing reliability and power consumption
2Device complexity
If the NG-RAN configures measurement configuration without non-public network information, then the configuration process is simpler, but the cell (re)selection time increases and connection failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NG-RAN obtains non-public network information (NPN cell lists, frequency lists, or measurement configurations) from the core network before configuring the UE with measurement configurations. This preliminary preparation enables the configuration to include specific non-public network cell identifiers and frequencies, allowing the UE to perform targeted measurements and achieve faster cell (re)selection without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement configuration parameters are changed to include non-public network specific information such as NPN cell lists, frequency lists, and SS/PBCH block resource configurations. These parameter changes enable the UE to efficiently identify and measure non-public network cells, reducing cell (re)selection time and connection failure rate while maintaining manageable configuration complexity
3Reliability
If the NG-RAN waits for verification result from AMF before establishing connection, then network security is improved, but the connection establishment latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NG-RAN performs non-public network cell identification and obtains verification information from the core network in advance, before the UE attempts connection. This preliminary verification allows the NG-RAN to pre-configure the UE with appropriate measurement configurations and connection parameters, enabling faster connection establishment while maintaining security through pre-validated non-public network information
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method of wireless communication are provided. The method by a first next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) includes performing, by the first NG-RAN, a non-public network (NPN) cell identification on an access stratum (AS) level for downlink (DL), wherein performing, by the first NG-RAN, the NPN cell identification includes at least one of the followings: wherein a synchronization sequence for NPN can be transmitted in one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) on an initial bandwidth part (BWP) by an NPN cell, wherein in a broadcasting system information on a DL BWP, an NPN identifier (ID) is present in an NPN access related information information element (IE), wherein the DL BWP for NPN is used to transmit an SSB and related system information, or wherein an access class permission is transmitted in system information on the DL BWP for NPN access allowance.