Wireless Terminal Access Control for EPC and 5GCN

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems lack an efficient method for wireless terminals to make access control decisions based on the types of core networks they are configured for, particularly during network congestion, which affects network resource management and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal and method that utilize access control programs to make decisions based on access control information received from core networks, allowing for differentiated access control configurations for different types of core networks, such as EPC and 5GCN, using access category numbers and broadcasted system information to determine access permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a unified access control scheme is implemented for both EPC and 5GCN, then device complexity is reduced, but access control precision deteriorates because the terminal cannot differentiate between different core network types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control decision mechanismVSAvoidaccess control decision accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access control decision-making process into two independent parts: a unified access control program stored in the terminal, and differentiated access control information received from different core network types (EPC and 5GCN). The terminal selects and executes the appropriate access control information based on the detected core network type, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving precise, differentiated access control for each network type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If differentiated access control information is broadcast for each core network type, then access control precision is improved, but information transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control decision accuracyVSAvoidinformation transmission system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different access control information specifically tailored to each core network type (EPC or 5GCN). The access control information includes parameters such as access category numbers and barring configurations that are locally optimized for each network type's specific requirements, enabling precise access control without requiring a completely separate system for each network type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the terminal performs multiple access control procedures for different core networks, then access control reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control decision reliabilityVSAvoidaccess control processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the terminal with a unified access control program that contains the logic for handling multiple core network types. The terminal also pre-receives and stores access control information from both EPC and 5GCN networks. When accessing the network, the terminal only needs to detect the current network type and select the corresponding pre-prepared access control information, avoiding the need to perform multiple sequential access control procedures and significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3756382B1Access control methods and apparatus for radio systems
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 SHARP KK
  • EP3756382B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3756382B1 patent drawingFigure 1-1~1-4
  • EP3756382B1 patent drawingFigure 1-5

AI summary

A wireless terminal initiates an inter-system change procedure to switch from a first core network to second when an access attempt to the first core network is barred. The processor circuitry configured to: register to a first core network; receive first access control information and second access control information from radio access node; upon an access attempt, determine if the access attempt is allowed for the first core network based on the first access control information; when the access attempt is barred for the first core network, determine if the access attempt is permitted by a second core network allows based on the second access control information; and, when the access attempt is allowed for the second core network, initiate an inter-system change procedure to designate the second core network as a registered network.