AMF re-allocation due to slicing
US12185176B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2020 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W72/0453
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a wireless communication network implementing network slicing (NS), an Initial Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for a user equipment (UE) in one NS is able to re-allocate a UE to a Target AMF in a different NS, despite not being able to directly communicate with the Target AMF due to NS security restrictions. In a first embodiment, the Initial AMF transfers the UE context—including its security context—to a Default AMF. The Default AMF has the capability to communicate with network functions in different NSes. The Default AMF transfers the UE context to the Target AMF. In a second embodiment, a security key Kamf′ is horizontally derived in a manner that avoids NS security conflicts. The derived key is transferred to the UE and Target AMF, which establish a security context. In a third embodiment, the Initial AMF allocates a Token, and transfers it, along with the UE security context (directly or via RAN) to the Default AMF. The Default AMF then transfers the security context to the Target AMF.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.