Base Station Encryption for Shared Public and Non-Public Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile telecommunications systems lack efficient methods for selectively encrypting time-sensitive network information and enhanced positioning assistance information in non-public networks, particularly in scenarios where cells host and share functionalities of both public and non-public networks, leading to potential unauthorized access and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing circuitry in base stations to obtain and encrypt time-sensitive network information and enhanced positioning assistance information, using cipher keys obtained from access mobility management function entities, and transmit encrypted information to user equipment based on cell configuration and commercial requirements, ensuring secure access only to authorized users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time-sensitive network information and positioning assistance information are transmitted in plain text in shared cells, then system simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing encryption selectively based on cell type. Public cells transmit positioning assistance information in plain text for simplicity, while non-public cells encrypt the same information to ensure security. This localized approach to encryption ensures that security measures are applied only where necessary, avoiding unnecessary complexity in public cells while maintaining strong security in non-public cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic encryption by adapting the encryption state based on the cell's public or non-public status. The base station dynamically determines whether to encrypt time-sensitive network information and positioning assistance information based on the cell configuration, allowing the system to flexibly adjust security measures according to the specific operational context and cell type.
2Reliability
If encryption is applied to all cells, then security is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing encryption selectively based on cell type. Public cells transmit positioning assistance information in plain text for simplicity, while non-public cells encrypt the same information to ensure security. This localized approach to encryption ensures that security measures are applied only where necessary, avoiding unnecessary complexity in public cells while maintaining strong security in non-public cells.
3Reliability
If selective encryption is implemented based on cell type, then security is improved without excessive complexity, but additional control mechanisms and key management are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network into public and non-public cell segments, each with appropriate security measures. The base station segments the transmission based on cell type, applying encryption only to non-public cells. This segmentation allows the system to manage key complexity efficiently by maintaining separate key management processes for different cell types, reducing overall system complexity compared to universal encryption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary key management mechanism where the base station receives cell type information and encryption key status from the network management entity. This intermediary role allows the base station to automatically adjust encryption settings based on external control signals, simplifying key management by delegating the decision-making process to a centralized management entity rather than requiring complex local key management algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station for a mobile telecommunications system, comprising circuitry configured to: obtain time-sensitive network information or enhanced positioning assistance information; encrypt the time-sensitive network information or the enhanced positioning assistance information for including the encrypted time-sensitive network information or the encrypted enhanced positioning assistance information in system information; and transmit the system information to a user equipment in a cell, wherein the encryption is performed if the cell hosts and shares functionalities of a non-public cell and a public cell.