Unified Service Layer for Private LTE and Wi-Fi Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprises face challenges in managing complex 3GPP radio and core network functions, resource efficiency, maintenance, and security when deploying private LTE networks, particularly in integrating these with existing Wi-Fi networks, leading to high costs and lack of unified policy control.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of techniques and mechanisms for efficient authentication and secure communications in private communication systems that provide both non-3GPP and 3GPP access, allowing for unified service layers of co-located networks, reducing the need for 3GPP core functionality, and using shared spectrum access systems like CBRS to manage spectrum usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an enterprise deploys a private LTE network with full 3GPP radio and core network functions, then comprehensive cellular service capability is achieved, but device complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary 3GPP core network functions from the enterprise private LTE deployment, keeping only the essential radio access network components. This extraction principle reduces device complexity while preserving the core cellular service capability needed for enterprise operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a unified service layer that can handle both 3GPP LTE and non-3GPP Wi-Fi access types through a single policy control mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to serve multiple access technologies with one integrated architecture, reducing overall complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an enterprise deploys a private LTE network with full 3GPP functions, then complete cellular network functionality is achieved, but resource efficiency and maintenance burden worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant core network functions that are not essential for enterprise operations, extracting only the necessary radio access components. This extraction improves resource efficiency by eliminating the overhead of maintaining unnecessary network functions while preserving complete cellular functionality where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an enterprise deploys a private LTE network with full 3GPP functions, then comprehensive service capability is achieved, but unified policy control between Wi-Fi and LTE networks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified service layer that provides multi-functional policy control capable of managing both 3GPP LTE and non-3GPP Wi-Fi access types through a single interface. This universal control mechanism maintains comprehensive service capability while enabling ease of operation through unified policy management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an enterprise uses a 3GPP-defined service-oriented architecture, then rich feature set is achieved, but relevance to enterprise needs and cost-effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes 3GPP core network functions and service-oriented architecture components that are not relevant to enterprise needs, keeping only the essential radio access network features. This extraction improves cost-effectiveness by eliminating unnecessary complexity while preserving the feature richness needed for enterprise operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) may be in coverage of a local private non-Third Generation Partnership Project (non-3GPP) wireless network (e.g. a Wi-Fi network) of an enterprise. This non-3GPP wireless network may be part of a private communication system of the enterprise which further includes a local private 3GPP network (e.g. a Long-Term Evolution or “LTE” based network). When the non-3GPP wireless network advertises “single-authentication” support, the UE may complete authentication for non-3GPP access, obtain a Master Session Key (MSK) from the authentication, and generate an Access Security Management Entity (ASME) key (KASME) based on the MSK. In further implementations, the UE may obtain a Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (GUTI) from the non-3GPP wireless network. Subsequently, the UE may perform an attach procedure with the local private 3GPP network without performing an authentication procedure, presenting the GUTI that it obtained from the non-3GPP wireless network for 3GPP access.