Unified Subscription Identifier Fields for Multi-Scenario Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of subscription identifiers in 5G networks is challenging due to the need for different authentication scenarios requiring various subscription identifier formats such as SUPI, SUCI, and IMSI, which are not adequately addressed by existing 3GPP specifications.
Innovation Solution
A unified subscription identifier data structure is introduced, comprising multiple fields that can represent SUPI, SUCI, or IMSI, along with associated parameters, allowing user equipment to access networks based on specific authentication scenarios, and is supported by network elements like UDM and AMF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different subscription identifier formats (SUPI, SUCI, IMSI) are used for different authentication scenarios, then authentication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple identifier formats and their associated parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subscription identifier formats (SUPI, SUCI, IMSI) and their associated parameters into a single unified data structure. This structure uses a type indicator field to distinguish between different identifier types and organizes all relevant information (identifier value, encryption parameters, authentication scenario) in one place, eliminating the need to manage separate data structures for each identifier type and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining authentication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The unified subscription identifier data structure is designed to serve multiple authentication scenarios and identifier types through a single universal structure. The type indicator field enables the same data structure to represent different identifier formats (SUPI, SUCI, IMSI) and their associated parameters, making the system more versatile and reducing the need for multiple specialized data structures
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment in a communication system, a unified subscription identifier data structure is constructed. The unified subscription identifier data structure includes a plurality of fields that specify information for a selected one of two or more subscription identifier types and selectable parameters associated with the selected subscription identifier type, and wherein the information in the unified subscription identifier data structure is useable by the user equipment to access one or more networks associated with the communication system based on an authentication scenario corresponding to the selected subscription identifier type. For example, during different authentication scenarios, the user equipment utilizes the unified subscription identifier data structure to provide the appropriate subscription identifier (e.g., SUPI, SUCI or IMSI) and associated parameters for a given authentication scenario.