Inter-RAT Security via Shared LTE Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inter-RAT carrier aggregation systems face challenges in providing secure communication without overburdening network operators with complex configuration and processing demands, especially when integrating different radio access technologies like LTE and WiFi.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where messages are encrypted using a first RAT protocol and sent over a second RAT without additional encryption, leveraging shared encryption techniques to reduce processing power and transmission delays, and maintaining security through LTE encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate encryption techniques are implemented for each RAT (LTE and WiFi), then communication security is maintained for each individual RAT, but device complexity and processing burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encryption functionality for multiple RATs into a single shared encryption engine. The security anchor in the LTE network generates encryption keys that are reused for both LTE and WiFi communications. This combining approach maintains security for both RATs while eliminating the need for separate encryption configurations, thereby reducing device complexity and processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption engine is designed with multi-functionality to handle both LTE and WiFi encryption requirements using a single set of security parameters. The security anchor established in LTE serves as a universal security foundation that can be applied across different RATs, allowing the same encryption mechanism to protect communications regardless of the underlying technology.
2Reliability
If separate encryption processing is performed for each RAT, then security is ensured for each transmission, but processing time and transmission delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The security anchor is established in advance during LTE network attachment, and the encryption keys are generated beforehand. When WiFi communication is subsequently initiated, these pre-established security parameters are directly reused without requiring additional key generation or encryption setup, thereby eliminating processing delays while maintaining security assurance.
3Reliability
If multiple encryption methods are implemented for inter-RAT carrier aggregation, then security coverage is comprehensive, but operational cost and configuration burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal security approach where a single security anchor established in the LTE network provides security coverage for both LTE and WiFi RATs. The same encryption keys and security parameters generated in LTE are reused for WiFi communications, ensuring comprehensive security coverage while dramatically simplifying configuration operations. Network operators only need to configure security once in LTE, and it automatically extends to WiFi without additional configuration steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for security for inter-RAT carrier aggregation is disclosed. The method includes encrypting a message using an encryption technique for a first RAT. The method also includes sending, to a UE, at least a portion of the encrypted message using a different, second RAT. Sending using the second RAT does not further encrypt the at least a portion of the encrypted message. The method further includes receiving the at least a portion of the message encrypted using the first RAT protocol. Receiving uses the second, different RAT. The method also includes decrypting the at least a portion of the message using the first RAT protocol. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.