5G Terminal SIM Personalization via Dynamic SUPI and IMSI Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR technology and other multi-access systems face challenges in personalizing user equipment (UE) to function seamlessly with both 5G SIM cards and pre-5G SIM cards, leading to compatibility issues and limited flexibility in network access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual personalization mechanism in 5G terminals that uses both SUPI and IMSI-based personalization schemes, allowing the UE to dynamically select the appropriate scheme based on the type of SIM card inserted, ensuring compatibility with both 5G and pre-5G SIM cards from the same subsidizing network operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single personalization scheme is used in 5G terminals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different SIM card types (5G and pre-5G) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic personalization mechanism that automatically detects the SIM card type (5G or pre-5G) and switches between different personalization schemes accordingly. The system transitions from a static single scheme to a dynamic multi-scheme approach, enabling the terminal to adapt its personalization method based on the inserted SIM card generation, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal personalization framework that can handle multiple SIM card types (both 5G and pre-5G) through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the terminal to support both legacy and next-generation SIM cards without requiring separate dedicated systems, achieving broad compatibility while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual personalization schemes are implemented, then the adaptability to different SIM card types is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic detection and switching mechanisms that automatically identify the appropriate personalization scheme based on SIM card type. This dynamic approach enables the terminal to flexibly select between SUPI-based (5G) and IMSI-based (pre-5G) personalization without manual intervention, achieving high adaptability while the automation manages the complexity burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The personalization mechanism performs self-detection of SIM card type and self-selection of the appropriate scheme without requiring external configuration or user input. This self-service capability allows the system to handle the complexity of dual schemes internally while presenting a simplified interface to the user, thereby improving flexibility without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If automatic SIM card type detection is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal automatically detects SIM card type and selects the appropriate personalization scheme without user intervention. This self-service detection mechanism simplifies operation for the user while the system internally handles the complexity of identifying whether a 5G or pre-5G SIM card is inserted, thereby improving ease of operation without exposing the detection complexity to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection layer that bridges the gap between physical SIM card insertion and logical personalization scheme selection. This intermediary mechanism translates physical SIM card characteristics into actionable personalization decisions, automatically managing the detection complexity while providing simple operation for the end user.
Data Source
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AI summary
The apparatus determines whether a subscriber identification module (SIM) card is a first network SIM card or a second network SIM card. The apparatus performs an unlock sequence for personalization based on a subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) if the SIM card is determined to be a first network SIM card. The unlock sequence may include determining whether a SUPI of the first network SIM card matches with a SUPI stored in a secure file system (SFS) at the UE. The unlock sequence may further include initializing the UE to a network if the SUPI of the first network SIM card matches with the SUPI stored in the SFS at the UE.