Lawful Interception for Sidelink V2X Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lawful interception systems are unable to monitor sidelink connections in communications networks, which are essential for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) use cases, as these connections cannot currently be monitored.
Innovation Solution
A communications network node is designed to receive sidelink connection requests, determine if a user equipment (UE) is a target for lawful interception, and then inform both the target UE and other involved UEs of a UE-to-UE direct communication interface frequency. The node sends request messages to other UEs to provide information about the sidelink connection and communications data, which are then forwarded to the access and mobility management function (AMF) and user plane function (UPF) for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sidelink connections are established for V2X communication, then direct UE-to-UE communication capability is improved, but monitoring capability for lawful interception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network node as an intermediary that receives sidelink connection requests from UEs, determines if they are target UEs, and coordinates the establishment of monitoring channels. This intermediary enables both direct UE-to-UE communication and lawful interception monitoring by acting as a mediator between the UEs and the monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring function into separate components: the network node handles connection management and target UE determination, while separate monitoring channels are established for IRI and CC collection. This segmentation allows sidelink communication to proceed independently while enabling targeted monitoring capabilities.
2Loss of information
If monitoring channels are established for lawful interception, then information collection capability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the network node determine whether a UE is a target UE before the sidelink connection is fully established. This advance determination allows the system to prepare monitoring channels only when necessary, avoiding the need for universal monitoring infrastructure and reducing overall network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by establishing monitoring channels only for target UEs rather than all UEs in the network. The network node selectively collects IRI and CC only when a UE is identified as a target, thereby achieving adequate information collection capability while minimizing the complexity overhead of monitoring infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If selective monitoring of target UEs is implemented, then interception accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs target UE determination as a preliminary action before full monitoring begins. By identifying target UEs in advance during the connection setup phase, the system avoids the need for continuous analysis of all UE traffic, thereby maintaining high interception accuracy while reducing overall processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network node (100) operable to: receive a sidelink connection request from a user equipment, UE, including an identification of at least one other UE involved in the sidelink; determine that the UE is a target UE to be monitored for lawful interception, LI, purposes; inform the target UE and the at least one other UE of a UE-to-UE direct communication interface frequency to use for the sidelink; send a request message to the at least one other UE requesting it to provide information about the sidelink connection and a copy of communications data exchanged on the sidelink connection to the node; send to an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element, NE, an information message including information about the sidelink connection received from the at least one other UE; and send to a user plane function, UPF, NE content messages including a copy of communications data exchanged on the sidelink connection received from the at least one other UE.