IAB Node OAM Connection Using Early RRC Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IAB node integration methods fail to establish secure communication channels with the Operation and Maintenance (OAM) system prior to authorization and authentication, as the parent DU is unaware of the IAB node's identity until after the RRCReconfiguration message, preventing early download of necessary security certificates.

Innovation Solution

The parent DU inspects RRC messages for an IAB indication, sets up BH RLC channels for OAM communication, and downloads security certificates before authentication, using various detection methods such as snooping RRC messages, introducing new establishment causes, or utilizing IAB-specific RACH resources to identify and establish secure connections with the IAB node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the parent DU waits until after RRCReconfiguration to identify the IAB node, then the standard NR connection procedure is followed, but the security certificates cannot be downloaded early for OAM communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure communication establishmentVSAvoidcertificate download timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the parent DU to identify IAB nodes before the standard authentication process completes. By inspecting RRC messages (such as RRCSetupRequest or RRCSetupComplete) for IAB indications, the parent DU can proactively establish BH RLC channels and download security certificates in advance, rather than waiting until after RRCReconfiguration as in conventional procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the parent DU inspects RRC messages to detect IAB nodes early, then early OAM connection is enabled, but additional message inspection and processing complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOAM connection establishment speedVSAvoidmessage inspection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a form of signaling indication (analogous to color changes) by introducing an IAB indication in RRC messages. This indication acts as a marker that allows the parent DU to quickly identify IAB nodes without complex inspection, simply by detecting the presence of this specific indicator in the message stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The IAB node itself provides the identification mechanism by including the IAB indication in its own RRC messages. This self-service approach allows the parent DU to detect IAB nodes autonomously without requiring external assistance or complex detection algorithms, thereby minimizing added processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If BH RLC channels are set up before authentication, then early certificate download is possible, but the connection establishment sequence becomes non-standard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertificate download timingVSAvoidconnection establishment procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing BH RLC channels before the standard authentication and RRCReconfiguration steps. This allows security certificates to be downloaded in advance, and the procedure is designed so that this preliminary channel setup integrates with the subsequent standard authentication flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12471159B2Method for connecting an integrated access backhaul node to operation and maintenance system

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method performed by a child Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node that comprises a IAB-Mobile Termination, IAB-MT includes transmitting, to a network node operating as a parent node with respect to the child IAB node, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) setup request message comprising an IAB indication that indicates that the transmission to the network node is by the child IAB node comprising the IAB-MT.