Early Data Transmission Integrity Verification in Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current early data transmission (EDT) during random access procedures in wireless communications lacks reliable authentication between user equipment (UE) and the network, leading to potential data loss as uplink data is transmitted without ensuring delivery to the correct base station, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) discards data prematurely without confirmation of successful delivery.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves validating the authenticity of the base station by the UE through successful integrity checks in message 4 of the random access procedure, ensuring that uplink data sent in message 3 is only discarded if the integrity check is successful, and adjusting the discard timer operation to prevent premature data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If uplink data is transmitted in Msg3 during early data transmission (EDT) without authentication, then transmission speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the UE cannot validate it is sending data to the correct eNB

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoiddelivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing integrity verification of the eNB identity in Msg4 before the UE discards the uplink data transmitted in Msg3. This ensures that data is only discarded after confirming it was sent to the correct eNB, resolving the contradiction between fast transmission and reliable delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the PDCP discards user data based on discardTimer expiration, then memory management is improved, but loss of information worsens because data may be discarded before successful delivery confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata buffer managementVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using the integrity verification result of the eNB identity in Msg4 as a confirmation signal before the PDCP layer discards uplink data. This feedback mechanism ensures that data is only discarded when successful delivery is confirmed, preventing premature data loss while maintaining proper buffer management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If integrity verification is performed before data transmission, then reliability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs integrity verification of the eNB identity in Msg4 immediately upon receipt, before the UE proceeds to discard the uplink data from Msg3. This preliminary verification action ensures reliability without significant time loss, as the verification is integrated into the existing random access procedure flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3858076B1Early data delivery for random access procedure
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3858076B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858076B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3858076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to some embodiments, a method for early data transmission (EDT) performed by a wireless device comprises: assembling a random access message 3 that includes uplink data for random access EDT; transmitting the random access message 3 to a network node; receiving a random access message 4 from the network node; determining whether the random access message 4 includes a successful integrity check indicating that the network node successfully received the uplink data in random access message 3; and upon determining the random access message 4 includes a successful integrity check, discarding transmission protocol information corresponding to the uplink data in random access message 3.