Personal Identification Number

In Release 15, the PIN function itself was not a primary focus of new introductions. The release's updates concerning the USIM and subscriber module functionality were centered on enabling new 5G capabilities, such as enhancing USIM configuration data to support mission-critical services and updating the USIM Service Table to provide PDU session call control support. These changes built upon the existing, unchanged PIN mechanism for user authentication, which remained defined as the verification of a numeric PIN of four to eight decimal digits.

• How to determine the maximum number of established PDU sessions TS 24.501CR0077
• UE configuration for NAS signalling low priority via OMA-DM or USIM not applicable in 5GS TS 24.501CR0084
• Preferred list terminating at ME or USIM TS 24.501CR0212
• Addition of the extended emergency number list in AT-command +CEN TS 27.007CR0564
• USIM Service Table update for PDU session call control support TS 31.102CR0786
• Allow configuration of MCS (Access Identity 2) via USIM. TS 31.102CR0794

+ 27 more changes

In Release 16, the PIN function itself was not modified, but the release introduced new USIM configuration capabilities for network selection and access. Specifically, it added support for the USIM to store a Trusted non-3GPP access networks list and to configure an RLOS (Radio Layer Only Service) PLMN list and an RLOS allowed MCC list. These enhancements allowed the USIM to govern network connectivity parameters beyond the core user authentication PIN procedure.

• Add new general abbreviations MCC Note: CR cover sheet wrongly shows CR number as "1118". TS 21.905CR0118
• Identification of LTE-M (eMTC) traffic TS 23.501CR1363
• Support for USIM configuration of RLOS PLMN list TS 31.102CR0847
• URSP storage in USIM TS 31.102CR0861
• Specify storage for a potentially separate KSEAF for non-3gpp access on the USIM TS 31.102CR0864
• USIM configuration of RLOS allowed MCC list TS 31.102CR0881

+ 25 more changes

In Release 17, the primary new PIN-related functions involved the introduction of new USIM files for storing network configuration data, rather than changes to the core PIN authentication mechanism itself. Specifically, new USIM files were defined to store pre-configured CAG (Closed Access Group) information lists and SOR-CMCI (Steering of Roaming - Connected Mode Control Information) parameters. These additions expanded the USIM's role in storing network policy and access configuration data to support new 5G system features.

• Definitions and abbreviations for Multi-USIM in 5GS TS 24.501CR3119
• Using Service Request procedure for removing paging restrictions in 5GS for a Multi-USIM UE TS 24.501CR3226
• Multi-USIM UE support indications in 5GS TS 24.501CR3121
• S-NSSAI rejected due to maximum number of UEs reached and BO timer value TS 24.501CR3123
• Maximum number of established PDU sessions already reached for a NW slice TS 24.501CR3213
• IP Address and Port number Replacement IE in EAS Discovery procedure with Local DNS Server/Resolver TS 29.244CR0610

+ 57 more changes

In Release 18, the Personal Identification Number (PIN) function was extended from its traditional USIM-centric role to become a native network capability within the 5G Core (5GC). New specifications were introduced for PIN communication configuration, PIN policy configuration, and support for QoS management and traffic routing for PIN-related communications. This release also defined PIN architecture, identifiers, and procedures for a UE to request to be added to a PIN.

• Adding leftover PIN requirement to normative spec TS 22.261CR0622
• Requirements on PIN element discovery restriction TS 22.859CR0001
• Addition of consolidated requirements for use case on PIN element discovery restriction TS 22.859CR0017
• UE requesting to be added to a PIN TS 22.859CR0018
• Reference point numbers for charging TS 23.501CR3752
• PIN support in 5GC TS 23.501CR3854

+ 97 more changes

In Release 19, the Personal Identification Number (PIN) function was enhanced with the introduction of a "PIN element discovery" capability. Furthermore, specific corrections and clarifications were made to PIN-related procedures, including a correction for the "PIN service switch configure procedure" and clarifications on "URSP rule limitations with PIN."

• Enhancement of getting public UE IP address and port number TS 23.501CR5445
• Support PDU Set information identification based on MoQ for encrypted XRM traffic TS 23.501CR5632
• PDU Set Information Identification for end-to-end encrypted traffic using connect-UDP - architecture part TS 23.501CR5728
• PIN element discovery TS 23.542CR0061
• PDU set identification for non-3GPP access TS 24.501CR6577
• Identification and marking of Data Burst Size in DL GTP-U packets TS 29.244CR0892

+ 15 more changes

In Release 20, the PIN function was enhanced to support complex tethered device scenarios, addressing the identification of INS cases and the hosting operator. This builds upon the existing framework where the USIM authenticates the user via a numeric PIN and manages PIN blocking and unblocking procedures. The update specifically extends these mechanisms to accommodate more intricate device attachment and operator hosting situations.

• Identification of INS case and hosting operator TS 23.501CR6423
• PIN enhance to support for complex tethered device scenarios TS 23.542CR0068