Lower Layer Groupcast Keying for Secure UE Group Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack effective lower layer security mechanisms for groupcast communication, particularly in scenarios involving multiple user equipment (UEs), which can compromise data integrity and confidentiality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus for wireless communication that utilize lower layer groupcast keys based on common keys, unicast keys, and parameters, such as group identifiers or destination identifiers, to secure groupcast communications among UEs, including relay UEs and receiver UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lower layer security mechanisms are implemented for groupcast communication, then data security and integrity are enhanced, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The security mechanism is segmented into distinct key types (common key, unicast key, groupcast key) with specific functions. The common key is derived at the network level, unicast keys are exchanged between individual UEs, and groupcast keys are generated for group communication. This segmentation allows each key to be managed independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The common key is derived in advance by the network before groupcast communication begins. This preliminary key derivation enables subsequent groupcast communications to use pre-established security parameters, reducing real-time computational complexity and implementation difficulty
2Reliability
If multiple key types (common key, unicast key, groupcast key) are used for secure groupcast communication, then data confidentiality is improved, but the complexity of key management increases
Solution Approach 1:
Key management is segmented into three distinct functions: common key derivation (network-level), unicast key exchange (pair-level), and groupcast key generation (group-level). Each key type serves a specific purpose and is managed through dedicated procedures, simplifying the overall key management architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that facilitates key management by distributing the common key to all UEs and coordinating the derivation of groupcast keys. This intermediary role centralizes control over key generation and distribution, reducing the burden on individual UEs to manage all keys independently
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lower layer groupcast keys are derived using common key, parameters, and group identifiers, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common key is derived in advance by the network using relatively powerful computational resources. This preliminary derivation allows mobile UEs to use the pre-computed common key for groupcast communication without performing complex key derivation themselves, reducing their computational overhead and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The groupcast key is derived by combining the common key with variable parameters such as group identifiers and communication parameters. This parameter-based derivation allows the same common key to generate different groupcast keys for different groups or communication sessions without requiring new key material, reducing computational overhead
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may obtain a common key. The UE may communicate with one or more other UEs using a lower layer groupcast key that is based at least in part on the common key, a parameter, and at least one of a group identifier or a destination identifier. Numerous other aspects are described.