Self-Provisioning Wireless Terminal for Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless systems restrict SIM cards to a local region or network, leading to limited geographical flexibility and increased roaming service charges, as they are tied to a specific subscriber identity and authentication key.
Innovation Solution
A self-provisioning wireless terminal that decodes network identification from wireless signals, selects a suitable subscriber identification based on the network, and provisions itself with a new authentication key-subscriber identification pair to operate as a local terminal, allowing seamless connectivity across different networks without additional roaming charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a SIM is tied to a specific local region or network for authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but adaptability to different networks deteriorates and roaming service charges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication credentials are segmented into multiple key-identification pairs stored in the SIM, with each pair corresponding to a different network or region. The terminal can select and use the appropriate pair based on the current network environment, thereby maintaining authentication reliability for the local network while gaining adaptability to roam on other networks without incurring additional charges.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM is designed to store multiple authentication key-subscriber identification pairs, enabling it to function as a universal authentication credential for multiple networks. This multi-functionality allows the terminal to authenticate on different networks (GSM, CDMA, TDMA) without requiring separate SIM cards, thus improving network adaptability while maintaining reliable authentication through the use of appropriate credential pairs.
2Reliability
If manual provisioning is used for network authentication, then authentication security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is equipped with the capability to automatically detect the current network type and select the appropriate authentication key-subscriber identification pair from its stored credentials. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual provisioning intervention, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing time consumption while maintaining authentication security through the use of pre-configured secure credential pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple authentication key-subscriber identification pairs are pre-stored in the SIM during manufacturing or initial provisioning. This preliminary action ensures that when the terminal needs to authenticate on a specific network, the appropriate credentials are already available and can be automatically selected, eliminating the need for real-time manual provisioning while maintaining security through pre-established secure credential pairs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple key-identification pairs are stored in the SIM, then adaptability to different networks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication credentials are organized into distinct key-identification pairs, with each pair segmented and stored separately in the SIM. This segmentation allows the terminal to selectively access only the relevant credential pair for the current network, avoiding the need to manage all credentials simultaneously. The segmented structure maintains network compatibility while preventing SIM structure complexity from becoming unmanageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of provisioning a wireless terminal in a mobile network is described, the mobile network having a plurality of network base stations, a provisioning server, an HLR or AuC, the HLR or AuC comprising an ADS and a mobile network identifier comprising a network code and/or a country code, the wireless terminal having a first subscriber identification with a network code and/or a country code that does not match that of the mobile network identifier. The wireless terminal is authenticated in the mobile network using the first subscriber identification as an active subscriber identification. Wireless signals are sent from a network base station to the wireless terminal, the wireless signals including the mobile network identifier of the mobile network. Information is received from the wireless terminal including a network code and/or country code and a terminal producer for the wireless terminal and the provisioning server choses a new subscriber identification with a country code and/or network code local to the mobile network. The new subscriber identification is forwarded from the provisioning server to the wireless terminal and added to the ADS at the HLR or AuC. A connection is re-established with the wireless terminal using the new subscriber identification as the active subscriber identification.