METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HYBRID ACCESS TO A CORE NETWORK BASED ON PROXIED AUTHENTICATION

摘要

Apparatus and methods for hybrid access to a core network. In one embodiment, a wireless station enables a subscriber device to connect to a core network via an intermediate network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) rather than the network traditionally associated with the core network (e.g., a cellular network). In one implementation, the subscriber device connects to the wireless station at the (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) TCP/IP layers. Methods and apparatus for securely authenticating the subscriber device via the wireless station are disclosed. In one such variant, the subscriber device is a SIM-less device.

主权项

1. A method for wireless communications utilizing at least a first communications system and a second communications system, the first communications system having at least a first node and a second node in communication with each other, the method comprising:
executing a first portion of layers of a first protocol stack within the first node, and causing the second node to execute a second portion of layers of the first protocol stack; and providing one or more identifying information from the first node to the second node, wherein the one or more identifying information is configured to, in conjunction with the execution of the second portion of layers of the first protocol stack, authenticate the first node with at least one logical entity in the second communications system, said authentication enabling a connection between the second node and the at least one logical entity.