Secure Element TPC Applet for Fast Private Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for switching from a globally accessible public network to a local private network are inefficient, leading to long delays and high battery consumption, and do not support seamless transitions without modifying the mobile terminal.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a secure element with a Topology Private Connect (TPC) applet and a cloud-based private network topology service that dynamically updates and shares the physical topology of private networks among secure elements, enabling immediate switching to a private network upon detection of coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the secure element waits for the HPPLMN search period to switch to a private network, then the network switching procedure follows standard 3GPP protocols, but the switching delay becomes too long (up to 6 minutes) for urgent applications
Solution Approach 1:
The secure element performs preliminary actions by proactively scanning for private network identifiers (IMIs) in advance and storing their information locally. When a private network becomes available, the secure element can immediately switch to it without waiting for the standard HPPLMN search period to expire, thus reducing switching delay while maintaining protocol compliance through proper identifier validation.
2Loss of time
If the secure element continuously monitors for private network availability, then the switching response time is minimized, but battery consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The secure element implements periodic monitoring of private network availability rather than continuous monitoring. It performs scanning operations at scheduled intervals (e.g., every N seconds or minutes) to check for private network identifiers, which significantly reduces battery consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still enabling timely detection and switching to private networks when they become available.
3Speed
If the mobile terminal is modified to support immediate private network switching, then the switching speed is improved, but the device complexity and compatibility issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secure element performs self-service by autonomously scanning for private network identifiers, validating them against stored criteria, and initiating network switching without requiring modifications to the mobile terminal's core functionality. The secure element uses its own resources (scanner, validator, decision logic) to complete the switching process, maintaining terminal simplicity and compatibility while achieving fast switching speeds.
4Ease of manufacture
If the secure element uses standard location status events for network switching, then the implementation is simple, but the switching is not optimal when the private network is not immediately available
Solution Approach 1:
The secure element performs preliminary scanning and identification of private networks independent of location status events. By proactively detecting private network identifiers and pre-validating them against stored criteria, the secure element can immediately switch to a private network when detected, without waiting for the terminal's location status event triggers, thus reducing switching delay while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a system for switching the connection of a secure element 30 from a public network to a private network, the secure element 30 cooperating with a telecommunication terminal 31, wherein it comprises: - an entity 32 connected to or comprising a global private network database 37 storing the physical topology of the private network, the entity 32 being accessible by the telecommunication terminal 31, the physical topology of the private network being dynamically updated by at least secure elements of telecommunication terminals having access to the private network, - in each of a plurality of secure elements having access to the private network and cooperating with telecommunication terminals 31, an applet 33 comprising or being connected to a local private network topology database 34 sharing its content with the global private network database 37, the applet 33 switching the connection of the secure element 30 from a public network to the private network when the applet 33 considers that the telecommunication terminal 31 with which it cooperates enters in the coverage of the physical topology of the private network, based on the content of the local private network topology database 34.