Parallel Authentication and Tunnel Setup for E-UTRAN Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing E-UTRAN network attach procedure involves multiple serial steps, resulting in significant time delays and low efficiency due to the sequential performance of identification, authentication, security verification, and tunnel establishment processes.

Innovation Solution

A method where context information of user equipment is retrieved upon receiving an Attach Request, followed by parallel execution of authentication and security procedures, and then the establishment of a tunnel and default bearer, with operations stopping if any sub-step fails, to reduce overall attachment time and improve efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If authentication procedure and tunnel establishment are performed in parallel, then attachment time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attach procedure into distinct phases: context retrieval phase, parallel execution phase (authentication and tunnel establishment), and completion phase. This segmentation allows independent management of each phase, enabling parallel execution of authentication and tunnel establishment while maintaining clear control boundaries, thus reducing attachment time without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms where the MME coordinates parallel operations based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically manages the authentication procedure and tunnel establishment simultaneously, adjusting resource allocation and operation timing based on network state, which reduces attachment time while keeping complexity manageable through adaptive control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple procedures are performed in parallel, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment efficiencyVSAvoidprocedure success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where the MME monitors the status of both authentication and tunnel establishment procedures in real-time. Success or failure signals from either procedure provide feedback to the coordinating entity, which then manages the completion phase accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that parallel operations maintain high productivity while reliability is preserved through proper error handling and coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares error handling and coordination mechanisms in advance for the parallel execution phase. The MME is pre-configured to handle potential failures in either authentication or tunnel establishment, having predetermined procedures for managing partial successes or failures. This beforehand preparation allows the system to maintain high productivity through parallel execution while cushioning against reliability issues through pre-planned error management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2790454B1Method for attaching e-utran and mobility management entity
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP2790454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2790454B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2790454B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application discloses a method of attaching to E-UTRAN and a mobility management entity so as to lower the time delay in attachment of a user equipment to the network and improve the efficiency of attachment. The method includes: a step A of retrieving at the network side context information of a user equipment upon reception of an Attach Request sent by the user equipment; a step B of performing at the network side an authentication procedure and a security procedure with the user equipment; a step C of establishing at the network side a tunnel with the user equipment for information transmission; and a step D of establishing at the network side a default bearer with the user equipment, wherein the step B and the step C are performed in parallel after the step A is performed successfully; and the step D is performed upon determining that the step B and the step C are performed successfully.