Untrusted Network Interworking for Dual UE Registration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP systems lack a method for a user equipment (UE) to register over non-3GPP access while maintaining a single registration in the visited network, especially in roaming scenarios, necessitating a solution for secure connection setup and coordination between visited and home networks.
Innovation Solution
A virtual home AMF (H-AMF) is introduced to manage the registration process, establishing a security association with the UE through the home network, allowing additional N3GPP access while maintaining control in the visited network, and coordinating with the visited AMF (V-AMF) to add the new access to the UE context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE registers over non-3GPP access in a roaming situation, then the UE can access the home network, but the visited network loses control over the UE registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual home AMF (H-AMF) as an intermediary entity that mediates between the UE and the visited network AMF (V-AMF). The H-AMF is virtualized and deployed in the home network, allowing the UE to register over non-3GPP access while maintaining control with the visited network. The H-AMF forwards registration requests to the V-AMF and receives updated UE contexts, enabling dual registration without losing control.
2Reliability
If the home network establishes a security association with the UE through the home network, then secure connection is established, but the network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual home AMF (H-AMF) is designed as a multi-functional entity that combines several functions: it establishes security associations with UEs over non-3GPP access, forwards registration requests to the visited network AMF, receives and stores updated UE contexts, and manages the dual registration process. By consolidating these functions into a single virtualized entity, the patent reduces the overall network complexity compared to having separate dedicated components for each function.
3Reliability
If the visited network maintains control over the UE, then registration control is preserved, but the UE cannot access additional networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AMF function into two distinct entities: a visited network AMF (V-AMF) that maintains control over the UE's primary registration, and a virtual home AMF (H-AMF) that handles additional network access. This segmentation allows the V-AMF to preserve registration control while the H-AMF enables access to additional networks through non-3GPP access, resolving the contradiction between control and versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method of registering an access in a network, the method comprising receiving in a second network a request to register a user equipment, UE, device over a second access network, the request including first information that the UE device is registered in a first network over a first access network; receiving in the second network second information regarding the UE device from the first network; establishing in the second network a security association with the UE device over the second access network; forwarding third information regarding the UE device to the first network by the second network; and registering in the first network the UE over the second access network while maintaining the registration of the UE in the first network over the first access network.