Physical Control Channel Security via Secrecy Key Signal Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems lack effective methods to secure physical control channel signals, making them vulnerable to eavesdropping, especially in scenarios where upper layer security is insufficient or breakable.

Innovation Solution

A transmitter device modifies, based on a secrecy key, inputs or outputs of binary scrambling, modulation, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tone mapping for physical control channel signals, resulting in a secured physical control channel signal, which is then transmitted to a receiver device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If secrecy keys are used to modify signal processing operations for physical control channels, then security against eavesdropping is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the input or output of signal processing operations (binary scrambling, modulation, OFDM tone mapping) using secrecy keys. This changes the parameters of these operations to embed security functionality directly into the physical layer signal processing, improving security without requiring separate encryption hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges security functions with existing physical layer signal processing operations. By integrating secrecy key-based modifications into binary scrambling, modulation, and OFDM tone mapping that already exist in the system, the patent combines security with communication functions, reducing overall device complexity while improving security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If secrecy keys are applied to multiple signal processing operations, then security is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple secrecy keys before actual communication occurs. During transmission, the appropriate key is already ready for immediate application to the signal processing operations, eliminating the need for real-time key generation and reducing processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by applying secrecy key modifications continuously throughout the signal processing chain (binary scrambling, modulation, OFDM tone mapping) rather than as separate discrete steps. This integrated approach maintains the flow of signal processing while consistently applying security measures, optimizing processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250203354A1Signal modification for control channel physical layer security

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a transmitter device may modify, based at least in part on a secrecy key, an input or an output of at least one of binary scrambling, modulation, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tone mapping for a physical control channel signal, resulting in a secured physical control channel signal. The transmitter device may transmit, to a receiver device, the secured physical control channel signal. Numerous other aspects are described.