Key Hierarchy for 5G Trusted Network Seamless Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face inefficiencies in securing communications between user equipment (UE) and access points (APs) within trusted networks, leading to power consumption, processing resource wastage, and increased network overhead when UE moves between APs, resulting in higher latency and interference.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a key hierarchy based on a main key derived from a 5G core network registration procedure, using IEEE 802.11 protocols to enable seamless communication between APs within the same mobility domain without repeated authentication, thereby conserving power and reducing network overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeated authentication procedures are performed when UE moves between APs, then security is maintained, but power consumption and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a key hierarchy structure before the UE moves between APs. The root key is derived during initial network registration, and child keys are pre-computed for multiple APs. This allows the UE to immediately use pre-derived keys when moving between APs without performing authentication from scratch, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication key into a hierarchical structure with a root key and multiple child keys. Each AP has its own child key derived from the root key. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security at the root level while enabling efficient, low-power operation at individual AP levels by using only the necessary child key for current location.
2Reliability
If repeated authentication procedures are performed when UE moves between APs, then security is maintained, but processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a key hierarchy structure before the UE moves between APs. The root key is derived during initial network registration, and child keys are pre-computed for multiple APs. This allows the UE to immediately use pre-derived keys when moving between APs without performing authentication from scratch, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication key into a hierarchical structure with a root key and multiple child keys. Each AP has its own child key derived from the root key. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security at the root level while enabling efficient, low-power operation at individual AP levels by using only the necessary child key for current location.
3Reliability
If repeated authentication procedures are performed when UE moves between APs, then security is maintained, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a key hierarchy structure before the UE moves between APs. The root key is derived during initial network registration, and child keys are pre-computed for multiple APs. This allows the UE to immediately use pre-derived keys when moving between APs without performing authentication from scratch, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication key into a hierarchical structure with a root key and multiple child keys. Each AP has its own child key derived from the root key. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security at the root level while enabling efficient, low-power operation at individual AP levels by using only the necessary child key for current location.
4Reliability
If repeated authentication procedures are performed when UE moves between APs, then security is maintained, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a key hierarchy structure before the UE moves between APs. The root key is derived during initial network registration, and child keys are pre-computed for multiple APs. This allows the UE to immediately use pre-derived keys when moving between APs without performing authentication from scratch, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication key into a hierarchical structure with a root key and multiple child keys. Each AP has its own child key derived from the root key. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security at the root level while enabling efficient, low-power operation at individual AP levels by using only the necessary child key for current location.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may perform a registration procedure with a mobility function of a 5G core network. Accordingly, the UE may derive a main key, associated with a trusted network gateway function, based on the registration procedure. The UE may further determine a root key based on the main key. The UE may derive a first pairwise master key (PMK), associated with a trusted network, from the root key. The UE may communicate with a first access point (AP) for the trusted network. The UE may further derive a second PMK, associated with the second AP, from the first PMK. Numerous other aspects are described.