Wireless Beacon Integrity Protection Using Segmented Information Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in ensuring the integrity of information elements (IEs) in messages, particularly in scenarios where multiple user terminals communicate with a single access point, leading to potential data corruption or tampering, especially in cases where not all stations receive management frames intended for integrity protection.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating an integrity check value for information elements to be encapsulated in an integrity protected information element (IE) and transmitting a message comprising the integrity protected IE and the integrity check value, utilizing techniques like AES-128-CMAC for secure transmission and verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If integrity protection is applied to management frames using traditional methods, then data integrity is improved, but not all stations can receive the protection due to selective reception issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidreception coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the integrity protection mechanism by separating the integrity check value generation from the management frame content, allowing the integrity protected information element to be independently transmitted and verified by any station receiving the beacon message, thus resolving the selective reception issue while maintaining integrity protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If integrity check values are generated for all information elements, then security is improved, but message overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmessage overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies integrity protection selectively to specific information elements within the beacon message rather than all data, using an information element identifier to indicate which elements are protected. This localized approach maintains security for critical elements while minimizing overhead by not protecting all message content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If clear-to-send messages are solicited from each station separately, then transmission coordination is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission coordinationVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the integrity verification function with the existing beacon message transmission, allowing stations to verify integrity of received messages without requiring separate clear-to-send solicitation exchanges. This combines coordination and verification functions, reducing overhead while maintaining transmission coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2636173B1Beacon and management information elements with integrity protection

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to protecting integrity of transmitted messages in a wireless communications.