Public Private Network Transitions with Single SIM Profile

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an automotive solution operating with the following constraints: (1) provide connectivity to public MNO network and private enterprise network; (2) support both public and private domain connectivity with a single SIM profile; (3) both public and private connectivity using independent IMSI and credentials; (4) UE using the appropriate IMSI when connecting to the public and private networks; (5) a break-before-make for transitions across public and private networks; (6) continuity of service across the two domains is not required; and (7) if private network services need to be accessed from public network, explicit VPN style tunneling will support that function.

Claims

1. A communication system for managing transitions using one subscriber identification module (SIM), the system comprising: a) An HPPLMN configured to perform scan procedures to transition across public and private networks using a single SIM profile and to associate independent International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) values for the public and private networks; and b) A module for defining triggers for switching to use an appropriate IMSI associated with the public and private networks.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The disclosed method and apparatus, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict examples of some embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed method and apparatus. They should not be considered to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the claimed invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

[0035] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the identifiers used in some communications networks.

[0036] FIG. 2 is an illustration of additional identifiers for a Citizen Band Radio System (CBRS).

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a breakdown of some of the identifiers.

[0038] FIG. 4 identifies some of the information used by a UE to select a system that the UE will wirelessly access.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows several situations in which the UE transitions.

[0040] The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the disclosed method and apparatus can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention should be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present disclosure provides an automotive solution operating with the following constraints: (1) provide connectivity to public MNO network and private enterprise network; (2) Support both public and private domain connectivity with a single SIM profile; (3) The public and private connectivity will each use independent IMSI and credentials; (4) the UE needs to use the appropriate IMSI when connecting to the public and private networks; (5) a break-before-make for transitions across public and private networks is sufficient; (6) continuity of service across the two domains is not required; and (7) if private network services need to be accessed from public network, explicit VPN style tunneling will be supported to support that function.

[0042] The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for switching across Public and Private networks. In some embodiments, the EHPLMN is provisioned with the private network PLMN-ID(s). In some embodiments, the OPLMN is provisioned with the public network PLMN-ID(s). In some embodiments, the HPPLMN (higher priority PLMN) scan procedure supported in the modem is leveraged. In some such embodiments, the focus is on looking for more preferred systems to transitioning from OPLMN to EHPLMN. When the UE leaves the footprint of the private network, the UE will transition to find the OPLMN entries. The disclosed approach addresses both public and private networks supported, such as LTE or 5G NR networks.

[0043] In some embodiment in which the private network supports Neutral Host operations of the Public network PLMN, the UE may transition into the enterprise network with the public network PLMN. However, similar to inter network transitions, the UE will transition from neutral host camping to private network camping on the same private network cell using the HPPLMN scan procedures. In some embodiments, when camped on the Public network based on the OPLMN entries, the roaming indications are suppressed from the user interface. In some such embodiments, the roaming indication can be suppressed from the network by providing a EPLMN (equivalent PLMN) indication at the NAS layer. This may require a change from the public network but may be implicitly enabled.

Process for Switching IMSI

[0044] Some embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus include a process for switching IMSI on transitions across public and private network which includes the following:

[0045] Approach A: UE attaches the current IMSI. Upon receiving an Attach failure due to authentication failure, the SIM card receives the error code; The SIM card switches the IMSI and attempts to Attach to the network with the alternative IMSI

[0046] Approach B: UE provides the information of the PLMN it is connecting to the SIM card. This can be done either when: Option 1: the modem senses a change of PLMN; or Option 2: when the authentication challenge comes in and the request for addressing the challenge is forwarded to the SIM card.

Illustrative Transitions Across Public and Private Networks

[0047] FIG. 5 shows several situations in which the UE transitions.

[0048] T1: Transitions with both public and private network in coverage.

[0049] T2: Transitions with partial public network and in private network coverage.

[0050] T3: Transition with no public network coverage and in private network coverage.

[0051] The disclosed method and apparatus address all the above transitions.

[0052] Although the disclosed method and apparatus is described above in terms of various examples of embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the particular features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the examples provided in describing the above disclosed embodiments.

[0053] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide examples of instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0054] A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosed method and apparatus may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

[0055] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed in multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

[0056] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described with the aid of block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.