UAS Reauthentication Routing for Continuous UAV Service Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no mechanism for UAS reauthentication/reauthorization in wireless communication systems to maintain ongoing uncrewed aerial services without disrupting flight sessions.

Innovation Solution

An exemplary UAS reauthentication/reauthorization procedure is initiated by the USS, identifying the appropriate UUAA NAS termination point (AMF or SMF) based on the initial UUAA procedure type, and establishing a signaling communication path when the UAV is in an idle state to perform a second UUAA procedure, ensuring security protocols are enforced without disrupting ongoing flights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a UAS reauthentication/reauthorization procedure is implemented, then security protocols are enforced, but service disruption may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protocol enforcementVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and stores the NF element type (AMF or SMF) from the initial UUAA procedure in advance. When reauthentication is needed, this pre-identified information allows the network element to directly route the reauthentication request to the correct NF element without disrupting the ongoing flight session, thus maintaining service continuity while enforcing security protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the USS initiates reauthentication/reauthorization, then security is maintained, but the complexity of the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protocol enforcementVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network element that acts as an intermediary between the USS and the NF elements. This intermediary receives the reauthentication request from the USS, identifies the appropriate NF element type using pre-stored context information, and routes the request accordingly. This intermediary simplifies the overall procedure by centralizing the coordination logic and reducing the complexity burden on individual components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If NF element identification is performed during reauthentication, then correct routing is achieved, but additional signaling overhead is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrect routingVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the NF element identification action in advance during the initial UUAA procedure and stores the NF element type in context information. When reauthentication is triggered, this pre-identified information is immediately available, eliminating the need for time-consuming identification processes during the actual reauthentication event, thus reducing signaling overhead and time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4315921B1Apparatus and method of coordinating a reauthentication/reauthorization procedure for access to uncrewed aerial services
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 INNOPEAK TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP4315921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4315921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4315921B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication is provided. The method may include receiving, from a uncrewed aerial system (UAS) service (USS) network, a UAS reauthentication/reauthorization request after a user equipment (UE) is registered with the USS network by first operations associated with a first USS uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) authentication and authorization (UUAA) procedure. The method may include identifying a network function (NF) element type associated with a UAS reauthentication/reauthorization procedure based on UE UUAA context information. The method may include sending a UE context management request that indicates the NF element type. The method may include receiving a UE context management response that includes an NF identification (ID) of a serving NF element. The method may include sending a UAS reauthentication/reauthorization notification instructing the serving NF to initiate a second UUAA procedure.