Cellular Network Authentication via Asymmetric Cryptography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fake cellular cells in mobile networks can cause improper behavior in user equipment (UEs), leading to issues such as continuous RRC connection rejections, excessive battery consumption, memory shortages, and panic in the network due to unauthorized access and malicious broadcasting of critical information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing asymmetric/public-key cryptography algorithms for authenticating cellular cells through message authentication codes (MACs) to protect broadcasted messages, using two levels of authentication (cellular cell asymmetric keys and broadcast messages authentication) and managing public-private key pairs to verify the authenticity of cellular cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fake cellular cells broadcast critical information without authentication, then unauthorized access is enabled, but network security and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidunauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication of cellular cells before they are allowed to broadcast critical information. The network authenticates cells using asymmetric cryptography algorithms, verifying their identity through digital certificates before granting access to broadcast functions. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized cells from causing network instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an authentication mechanism as an intermediary between cellular cells and the network. The authentication system acts as a mediator that verifies cell identities through cryptographic protocols, ensuring that only authenticated cells can access network resources and broadcast information, thereby maintaining network security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If asymmetric cryptography authentication is implemented for all cellular cells, then network security is improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies authentication with different levels of strictness to different cellular cells based on their roles and security requirements. Critical infrastructure cells undergo rigorous authentication, while less sensitive cells use simplified verification. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between security and processing overhead by not applying uniform authentication to all cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts authentication parameters such as certificate validation depth, key verification strictness, and re-authentication intervals based on network conditions, cell types, and security threats. This parameter changes strategy allows the system to maintain high security when needed while reducing processing overhead during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11895490B2Mobile cellular networks authenticated access

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices authenticate mobile network cellular cells using asymmetric/public-key cryptography algorithms (e.g., Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA)) through integrity protecting the cellular cells broadcasted messages (e.g., paging and/or system information blocks (SIBs) system information broadcast messages) by message authentication code (MAC).