Non-Public Network Discovery and Access Control in 5G
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks, particularly 3G and 4G, lack support for enhanced Vertical and local area network (LAN) services, and existing solutions do not adequately address the challenges of network discovery, selection, and access control for fifth generation (5G) wireless communication networks, especially for non-public networks (NPNs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system architecture that enables user equipment (UE) to discover and select non-public networks (NPNs) using specific configuration parameters and network identification methods, including reserved global unique PLMN-IDs and service network identifiers, along with access control mechanisms to ensure authorized access and prevent unauthorized access to type-a and type-b networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current wireless communication networks (3G/4G) are used, then existing network infrastructure is maintained, but support for enhanced Vertical and LAN services is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces new parameters including reserved PLMN-IDs, NPN indicators, and service network identifiers to enable 5G networks to support enhanced Vertical and LAN services. These parameter changes allow the network to differentiate between public and non-public networks, enabling versatile service support while maintaining reliable connectivity.
2Measurement precision
If network discovery and selection mechanisms are implemented for 5G, then network identification capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network identification into distinct components: PLMN-ID for public networks, NPN indicator for non-public networks, and service network identifiers. This segmentation improves measurement precision for network identification while managing system complexity by organizing identification mechanisms into modular, manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring UEs with a list of allowed NPNs and their identifiers before network access. This allows the UE to perform efficient network discovery and selection without complex real-time decision-making, improving identification capability while controlling system complexity through advance preparation.
3Reliability
If access control mechanisms for NPNs are implemented, then security is improved, but access control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary access control mechanism where the network broadcasts access criteria and the UE autonomously evaluates whether it meets those criteria before attempting access. This intermediary approach improves security by enforcing controlled access while reducing complexity compared to centralized authentication for every access attempt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service access control where UEs with configured NPN lists autonomously determine their own access eligibility based on broadcast network identifiers. The UE performs self-evaluation against allowed NPN lists without requiring complex real-time authentication, improving security through controlled access while managing complexity through decentralized self-service mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) device includes memory storing non-public network (NPN) configuration information, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory and the RF interface. The RF interface receives information broadcast by a radio access network (RAN) node of the particular NPN, where the information includes a NPN indicator indicating that the RAN node supports a NPN and NPN service information indicating services supported by the particular NPN. The processing circuitry establishes, in response to detecting the NPN indicator in the information received from the RAN node, a connection to the particular NPN based on the NPN configuration information and the NPN service information received from the RAN node.