Wireless Device Cell Update Message Security Abort Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 3GPP 25.331 specification's Security Mode Command procedure can terminate at different times for user equipment (UE) and the radio access network, leading to mismatched ciphering and integrity protection configurations, resulting in RRC connection loss due to simultaneous abortion issues.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communications device and network entity are configured to determine if a security mode configuration procedure is in progress, and if so, abort it by transmitting a specific cell update message with an indicator, ensuring synchronized abortion and reverting to original security parameters, while allowing full reporting of measurement results without omitting 'Measured results on RACH' IEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Security Mode Command procedure is allowed to proceed without abort indication, then security reconfiguration can be completed, but security mode mismatches occur when UE and network terminate the procedure at different times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE check whether a security mode command procedure is in progress before initiating a cell update procedure. If a security mode command procedure is detected as in progress, the UE aborts it before proceeding with the cell update. This preventive check avoids the security mode mismatch problem that would otherwise occur when the network and UE terminate procedures at different times, ensuring reliability while maintaining simple procedure logic.
2Reliability
If the Cell Update message includes security abort indicator, then security mode alignment is ensured, but message size increases and measurement results may be omitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Cell Update message into two distinct types: Cell Update messages with security abort indication and Cell Update messages without security abort indication. This segmentation allows the system to include the security abort indicator only when necessary (when a security mode command procedure is in progress), thereby ensuring security mode alignment while minimizing the loss of measurement results information. The segmented approach prevents unnecessary inclusion of the indicator in normal Cell Update messages.
3Reliability
If Cell Update procedure is aborted during security mode command, then security mode mismatch is prevented, but RRC connection may be lost due to simultaneous abortion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by introducing a security abort indication that is transmitted from the UE to the network in the Cell Update message. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to inform the network about the abortion of the security mode command procedure, enabling both sides to synchronize their states. The network can then appropriately respond to maintain the RRC connection, preventing connection loss while ensuring security mode consistency through coordinated abort handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes: a transceiver configured to facilitate communications with a radio access network; and a processing unit configured to: determine that a cell update message is to be transmitted to the network; determine if a security mode configuration procedure is in progress at the device; and if a security mode configuration procedure is not in progress, transmit a second type of cell update message to the network entity, the second type of cell update message not including an indicator indicating that the device has not had to abort an on-going security procedure and in place of said indicator including information not pertaining to a security procedure.