UIM APN Provisioning via Radio Access Technology and Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in provisioning a user identity module (UIM) when user equipment (UE) is roaming outside its home network, as existing methods are not efficient in determining the correct access point name (APN) information using current radio access technology and location information.
Innovation Solution
The UIM in the UE determines the correct APN information by querying the currently-camped radio access technology and location information, using proactive commands as per ETSI standards, to initiate a data call and provision itself, especially in roaming scenarios, by opening a data channel through a bearer-independent protocol (BIP).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UIM uses existing provisioning methods in roaming scenarios, then the provisioning process can be completed, but the efficiency is low and the correct APN information cannot be determined using current radio access technology and location information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for APN determination from static home network parameters to dynamic parameters including current radio access technology type and location information (MCC/MNC). This allows the UIM to adaptively select the correct APN based on the current roaming environment, resolving the contradiction between provisioning efficiency and APN information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The UIM autonomously determines the correct APN information by querying its own stored data using the current RAT and location information, without requiring external provisioning assistance. This self-service capability enables efficient provisioning in roaming scenarios while ensuring accurate APN selection.
2Measurement precision
If the UIM queries for current RAT and location information to determine correct APN, then the APN accuracy is improved, but additional signaling and processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores multiple APN information sets corresponding to different RAT types and location combinations in the UIM before roaming occurs. When roaming, the UIM simply retrieves the pre-configured APN based on current RAT and location, avoiding complex real-time determination while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A user identity module (UIM) is incorporated in user equipment such as a mobile phone or mobile device. The UIM is configured to provision itself while roaming away from a home network as follows. The UIM may: send to the UE a request for information identifying a current radio access technology (RAT) that the UE is camped on; receive the current RAT information from the UE; send to the UE a request for network location information, where the network location information identifies a network in which the UE is currently camped; receive the network location information from the UE; generate an access point name (APN) using the current RAT information and the network location information; and open a channel through the network to a remote agent (e.g., a provisioning server) using the access point name.