Wireless Ciphering Configuration Application via HFN Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in UMTS, synchronization of Hyper Frame Numbers (HFN) is lost during reset or re-establishment procedures, leading to issues with applying new ciphering configurations, as acknowledged mode data packets may be lost or delayed, causing UTRAN to initiate resets and discard incoming data, resulting in unsynchronized HFN in uplink and downlink.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that initiate an entity reset procedure, synchronize HFNs during the reset, and apply a new ciphering configuration without updating the synchronized HFNs, ensuring synchronization is maintained across the network entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a new ciphering configuration is applied immediately after reset or re-establishment procedure, then the ciphering configuration is applied quickly, but HFN synchronization is lost between uplink and downlink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing HFN synchronization during the reset or re-establishment procedure before the new ciphering configuration is applied. This ensures that the HFN values are synchronized in advance, preventing synchronization loss when the ciphering configuration is subsequently applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the UE and UTRAN exchange HFN information during the reset or re-establishment procedure to verify and maintain synchronization. This feedback mechanism ensures that both parties have consistent HFN values before applying the new ciphering configuration.
2Reliability
If UTRAN initiates a reset procedure when AMD PDU is lost or delayed, then data integrity is maintained, but HFN synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs HFN synchronization as a preliminary action during the reset procedure initiation. By synchronizing HFN values before the reset is fully executed, the patent prevents loss of HFN synchronization information while maintaining data integrity through the necessary reset operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the reset procedure itself as an intermediary mechanism to transfer and synchronize HFN information between UE and UTRAN. During this intermediary process, HFN values are exchanged and aligned, ensuring synchronization is maintained despite the reset operation.
3Reliability
If ciphering information is updated during active communication, then security is improved, but synchronization between UE and UTRAN is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing HFN synchronization before updating the ciphering information. This ensures that the synchronization foundation is established in advance, allowing secure ciphering updates without disrupting the UE-UTRAN synchronization relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping HFN synchronization active and continuous during ciphering information updates. The synchronization process is not interrupted but rather maintained throughout the ciphering update, ensuring both security improvement and synchronization stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for applying a ciphering configuration in a wireless communication network. The method includes initiating an entity reset procedure by a first entity in the wireless communication network; synchronizing Hyper Frame Numbers (HFNs) associated with the first entity and a second entity, respectively, during the entity reset procedure; and applying a new ciphering configuration by the first entity and the second entity, upon completing the entity reset procedure, without updating the synchronized HFNs associated with the first entity and the second network, respectively.