公开(公告)号：US20250063449A1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-20

申请号：US18244156

申请日：2023-09-08

Applicant: Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Inventor： Umamaheswar Achari Kakinada ,  Imtiaz Shaikh ,  Maulik Vaidya ,  Yildirim Sahin ,  Paul L. Russell, Jr.

IPC: H04W36/22 ,  H04W12/06 ,  H04W36/00 ,  H04W36/08 ,  H04W36/32

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting EAP re-authentication for devices, e.g., UEs, connecting to APs such as WiFi APs, which are not 3GPP base stations such as gNBs are described. In accordance with the invention an ER service which supports EAP re-authentication is incorporated into an NSWOF which is coupled to multiple different APs. Once authenticated through the NSWOF via an EAP authorization process the ER service in the NSWOF stores UE re-authorization information and uses the information to re-authenticate a UE when it attaches to another AP to which the NSWOF is coupled. By supporting EAP re-authentication the need to contact an AUSF as part of a full authentication process is avoided and a UE can rapidly move between APs without having to perform a full EAP authentication involving contacting the AUSF each time the UE moves.

公开(公告)号：US20230354241A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-02

申请号：US18085539

申请日：2022-12-20

Applicant: Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Inventor： Paul L. Russell, Jr. ,  Umamaheswar Kakinada ,  Yildirim Sahin

IPC: H04W60/00

CPC classification number: H04W60/005

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting efficient switching of data paths corresponding to a communications session between different non-3GPP access networks, e.g., networks including WiFi access points, using network core functionality are described. A novel registration process in which UE and AMF capability information is exchanged at an early stage in the registration process is described. An initial registration request message from a UE, via a 3GPP or N3GPP access network, includes an indicator as to whether or not the UE supports path switching for MA PDU sessions between N3GPP access paths. This allows, for a UE which supports the path switching, a AMF to be selected and assigned to the UE, which also supports the path switching, thus matching capabilities and eliminating the need for interrupting communications to change AMFs at a later point.