Signaling Radio Bearer Configuration for LTE NAS Message Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE wireless communications system lacks a clear specification for configuring signaling radio bearers, particularly in terms of ciphering operations for Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, which affects information security.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that involves performing specific ciphering procedures for NAS messages to generate concatenated and non-concatenated messages, with distinct transmission on different signaling radio bearers, and adding a type field to non-concatenated messages for identification, ensuring accurate ciphering and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ciphering procedures are applied to all NAS messages in LTE system, then information security is improved, but the system complexity increases due to lack of clear specification for signaling radio bearer configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments NAS messages into two categories: concatenated messages (combined with RRC messages) and non-concatenated messages (transmitted alone). Different ciphering procedures are applied to each type, with concatenated messages using one approach and non-concatenated messages using another, thereby resolving the complexity issue while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different ciphering qualities to different message types based on their specific characteristics. Concatenated messages receive ciphering treatment appropriate for their combined structure, while non-concatenated messages receive ciphering suited for standalone transmission, optimizing security without unnecessary complexity
2Reliability
If different ciphering procedures are applied to concatenated and non-concatenated messages, then message security is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring message types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a type field (analogous to a color marker) in non-concatenated messages that explicitly indicates the message type. This allows the receiving end to easily identify whether a message is concatenated or non-concatenated and apply the appropriate deciphering procedure, solving the detection difficulty while maintaining security
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring signaling radio bearer in a wireless communications system includes not ciphering a non-concatenated message on a radio resource control layer or its lower layer and transmitting a concatenated message and the non-concatenated message on different signaling radio bearers, wherein a non-concatenated message consists of a Non-Access Stratum message only and a concatenated message consists of both Non-Access Stratum message and Access Stratum message.