SNPN Access Control Using Subscription Validity Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively controlling network access for non-public networks (NPNs), particularly in preventing unauthorized access to localized services and ensuring compliance with validity criteria for stand-alone non-public networks (SNPNs) and closed access groups (CAGs).
Innovation Solution
A network and method for handling network access control that includes a processor and memory to receive registration requests, determine validity information in UE subscriptions for SNPNs, and reject requests when criteria are not met, using appropriate cause codes to prevent further network selection or registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network access control is implemented for SNPNs and CAGs, then network security and resource optimization are improved, but network access complexity and device compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring validity information (time validity, location validity, service validity) in the UE subscription data before the device attempts network access. The network side stores and manages these validity criteria in advance, so that when a registration request is received, the network can immediately evaluate whether the access is valid without complex real-time computations. This pre-prepared validity information structure resolves the contradiction by enabling secure access control through straightforward comparison operations rather than complex runtime decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access control validation into distinct validity information components: time validity, location validity, and service validity. Each component is independently evaluated against the UE's subscription data. This segmentation allows the network to systematically check each validity criterion separately, making the overall access control process more manageable and less complex while maintaining comprehensive security coverage for SNPN and CAG access scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If validity information checking is performed for localized services, then unauthorized access is prevented, but registration processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validity information (time validity, location validity, service validity) is pre-configured and stored in the UE subscription data during the service setup phase, before any access attempt occurs. When a registration request is received, the network simply retrieves this pre-stored validity information and performs direct comparison with current conditions, rather than computing validity criteria in real-time. This preliminary preparation dramatically reduces registration processing time while maintaining comprehensive unauthorized access prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is equipped with pre-configured validity information that enables it to self-evaluate its access eligibility before attempting registration. The device can determine whether its current time, location, and service requirements match the stored validity criteria, allowing it to self-filter out obviously invalid access attempts before submitting registration requests to the network. This self-service validation reduces the processing burden on the network and accelerates the overall registration process.
3Loss of energy
If access control for multiple SNPNs and CAGs is implemented, then network resource optimization is improved, but subscription data complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal validity information structure that can be applied across multiple SNPNs and CAGs simultaneously. Instead of maintaining separate complex access control configurations for each network, the system uses a standardized validity information template (time validity, location validity, service validity) that works universally for all subscribed networks. This multi-functional approach allows the UE to efficiently manage access control for multiple networks with a unified data structure, reducing overall complexity while enabling comprehensive network resource optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages subscription data complexity by organizing validity information as configurable parameters that can be dynamically adjusted without changing the underlying data structure. Each SNPN and CAG association contains validity parameters (time range, location area, service type) that can be independently modified. This parameter-based approach allows flexible configuration for multiple networks while maintaining a consistent, manageable data structure that scales efficiently with the number of subscribed networks.
Data Source
AI summary
A network for handling a network access control comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores instructions and the processor coupled to the memory is configured to execute the instructions of: receiving a registration request from a communication device; determining whether validity information in a UE subscription for a stand-alone non-public network (SNPN) providing access for localized services is met, in response to receiving the registration request; and rejecting the registration request when the validity information is not met, which result in rejecting the communication device with an appropriate cause code to prevent the communication device from selecting or registering the network again in a SNPN selection procedure.