Enriched A-KID Format for Decoding Variable RID and A-TID

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variable length of Routing Indicator (RID) and AKMA Temporary UE Identifier (A-TID) in the A-KID format poses challenges for encoding and decoding in the username, making it difficult for User Equipment (UE) and Application Function (AF) to distinguish and process the components effectively.

Innovation Solution

An enriched A-KID format is introduced, where the username includes a RID, an A-TID, and supplemental characters such as a length indicator, separation character, or labels to distinguish RID from A-TID, facilitating easy decoding by network functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable length RID and A-TID are used in the A-KID format, then the system supports flexible identifier lengths, but the difficulty of encoding and decoding in the username increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible identifier lengthsVSAvoidencoding and decoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The username in the enriched A-KID is segmented into distinct components using separators (e.g., '||' or '|'). The format becomes RID||A-TID or RID|A-TID, where each component is clearly delimited. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexible identifier lengths while simplifying encoding and decoding operations, as the separators provide unambiguous boundaries between variable-length components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If variable length RID and A-TID are concatenated in the username, then the A-KID format remains compact, but the ability to distinguish RID from A-TID deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusername lengthVSAvoidcomponent distinguishability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Separator characters (such as '||' or '|') are introduced as intermediary elements between the RID and A-TID in the username. These separators act as delimiters that maintain the compact structure of the A-KID while providing clear visual and computational distinction between the two variable-length components. The separator serves as a mediator that preserves space efficiency while enabling reliable component identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no supplemental characters are added to distinguish RID and A-TID, then the A-KID format remains simple, but the ease of operation for decoding deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveA-KID format complexityVSAvoiddecoding ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Separator characters are preliminarily inserted into the username structure during A-KID generation, before any decoding operations occur. This preliminary structuring with delimiters (RID||A-TID) ensures that when decoding is performed, the components are already clearly distinguished and can be extracted without complex parsing logic. The preliminary action of adding separators simplifies subsequent decoding operations while maintaining relatively simple A-KID format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12532172B2Enriched A-KID for AKMA authentication service
Publication Date: 2026.01.20 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • US12532172B2 patent drawing
  • US12532172B2 patent drawing
  • US12532172B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems, methods, and software of performing an Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AKMA) authentication service. In one embodiment, an AKMA element (1200) handles an enriched AKMA Key Identifier (A-KID) (800) having an identifier format with a username (802) and a realm (804) separated by an @-symbol (806). The username includes a Routing Indicator (RID) (812), an AKMA Temporary UE Identifier (A-TID) (814), and at least one supplemental character (810) that distinguishes the RID from the A-TID in the username. The AKMA element performs a function of the AKMA authentication service based on the enriched A-KID.