USIM ADF Segmentation for 5GS File Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current Universal SIM (USIM) application dedicated file (ADF) has run out of short file identifiers (SFIs), limiting the efficiency of access for fifth-generation system (5GS) and future generation mobile devices, as none of the 5GS files can be assigned an SFI, leading to inefficient operations.
Innovation Solution
Creating new dedicated files (DFs) under the USIM ADF for new elementary files (EFs), such as the 5GSDF, and assigning short file identifiers (SFIs) to each 5GS EF, allowing efficient access and operation for 5GS and future generations, while maintaining backward compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new 5GS files are added to the existing USIM ADF, then the functionality for 5GS operations is improved, but the system runs out of short file identifiers (SFIs) leading to access inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the USIM ADF into multiple generation-specific DFs (current generation DF and new generation DF). The new generation DF is specifically created to store 5GS files, separating them from legacy files. This segmentation allows independent SFI allocation for each generation, preventing the exhaustion of SFIs in the overall ADF while maintaining efficient SFI-based access for 5GS operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the USIM ADF structure is modified to support more files, then future generation compatibility is improved, but the complexity of file management increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating separate generation DFs for different mobile communication generations (current and new), the patent simplifies file management within each segment while providing scalability for future generations. Each generation DF can be independently managed with its own SFI allocations, reducing the overall complexity compared to managing all files in a single large ADF structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by adding generation-specific DFs as a hierarchical layer within the USIM ADF structure. This dimensional expansion allows the system to accommodate multiple generations of mobile communication standards simultaneously, providing future-proof compatibility without fundamentally restructuring the entire ADF.
3Productivity
If SFIs are allocated to all 5GS EFs, then hardware access efficiency is improved, but the SFI resource pool is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SFI resource pool by creating generation-specific DFs. Each generation DF has its own allocated SFIs, so the 30 SFI limit applies independently to each generation rather than to the entire ADF. This allows 5GS EFs in the new generation DF to receive SFIs without depleting the SFI resources needed for current generation files, effectively multiplying the available SFI resources through generational segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently operating of USIM FIDs and SFIs under USIM ADF. In one novel aspect, the UICC of the mobile equipment comprises one or more generation dedicated files (DFs), and one or more generation-dedicated elementary files (EFs) are stored in each corresponding generation DF. In one embodiment, at least one of the generation-dedicated EFs is assigned an SFI. In another embodiment, each generation-dedicated EFs is assigned an SFI. In yet another embodiment, all generation-dedicated EFs for one generation are stored in corresponding generation DF. In one embodiment, at least one of the 5GS EFs is associated with at least one of: 5GS 3GPP location information, 5GS non-3GPP location information, 5GS 3GPP Access NAS Security Context, non-5GS 3GPP Access NAS Security Context, and 5G authentication keys.