NTN User Equipment Access Control Across Configured Service Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of managing service access behavior of user equipment (UE) within the coverage of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell, which may span multiple countries or administrative areas, is addressed by implementing a method to restrict or manage UE access based on configured areas and access rules.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided for non-terrestrial network accessing, where a user equipment receives a service accessing configuration including information on intended and non-intended areas, and determines whether to perform service access based on these configurations, while a base station transmits these configurations to the UE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the service area of a broadcast service is smaller than the coverage of the serving NTN cell, then the NTN cell can provide wide coverage, but it becomes challenging to restrict or manage UE access outside the service area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidaccess management
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service area into multiple configured areas, each with its own access control rules. The service area is divided into first configured areas (where service is provided) and second configured areas (where access is restricted), enabling granular control over UE access different regions within the wide NTN cell coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different access control qualities to different regions. First configured areas have service provision enabled, while second configured areas have service provision disabled. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain wide coverage while implementing selective access management based on local service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the NTN cell coverage spans multiple countries or administrative areas, then the network provides extensive coverage, but it becomes difficult to manage service access behavior across different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidaccess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal access control mechanism that works across all configured areas regardless of their geographical location or administrative boundaries. The UE uses a unified set of configured areas and access control rules to manage service access behavior across multiple countries or administrative areas, simplifying the complexity of managing international coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If service access is restricted to intended areas only, then service security and appropriateness are improved, but the ease of service access for legitimate users may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access controlVSAvoidservice accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports its location information and service access status to the network. The network uses this feedback to verify whether the UE is in a first configured area (where service is provided) or a second configured area (where service is restricted), enabling reliable access control while maintaining ease of access for legitimate users through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4648306A1Method of implementing non-terrestrial network accessing and equipment using the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 IND TECH RES INST
  • EP4648306A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4648306A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4648306A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method and a user equipment of implementing non-terrestrial network accessing are provided. The method includes: receiving a service accessing configuration, wherein the service accessing configuration includes information of at least one intended area (S151); and determining whether the user equipment is allowed to perform service accessing according to the service accessing configuration (S152).