MBMS Service Key Delivery via Control Plane Unicast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and securing multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) keys, particularly in terms of signaling overhead and key update procedures, which affect the security and efficiency of MBMS services.

Innovation Solution

Implementing control plane-based communication of multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service keys (MSKs) to enhance security and reduce signaling overhead, utilizing a communication manager at the base station and user equipment (UE) to manage key distribution and registration processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service keys are distributed through the service layer using application layer protocols, then service keys can be delivered to terminals, but the control plane and user plane become coupled and the system lacks flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol plane coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the key distribution function by creating separate unicast transmission paths for service keys from the control plane to terminals, independent of the multicast service data transmission path. This segmentation decouples the control plane from the user plane, allowing independent optimization and management of control functions versus data transmission functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary that receives service keys from the control plane via unicast and then distributes them to terminals. This intermediary breaks the direct coupling between control plane and user plane, enabling flexible key management while maintaining secure distribution through a controlled intermediate node.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If service keys are transmitted using existing multicast protocols, then key distribution can be achieved, but security risks increase due to protocol vulnerabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey distribution securityVSAvoidprotocol security vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as a secure intermediary that receives service keys through secure unicast from the control plane and then distributes them to terminals. This intermediary layer isolates the key distribution process from vulnerable public multicast protocols, enabling secure key transmission without exposing terminals to protocol-level security risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the application layer protocol mechanism (software-based, vulnerable to attacks) with a physical layer unicast transmission mechanism through the base station. This substitution moves key distribution to a more secure domain with better access control and encryption capabilities at the radio interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If service keys are distributed via unicast from control plane to terminals, then control and user planes are decoupled improving flexibility, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplane decoupling flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple service key transmissions to the same terminal group into a single unicast message from the control plane to the base station. The base station then distributes these keys to multiple terminals efficiently, reducing the total signaling overhead compared to individual unicast transmissions while maintaining plane decoupling benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control plane performs preliminary key generation and packaging before unicast transmission to the base station, preparing service keys in advance for efficient distribution. This preliminary action reduces on-the-fly processing overhead and enables batch optimization of key distribution signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4420373B1Control plane-based communication of multimedia broadcast/multicast service service keys

Publication Date: 2026.05.13 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may register to a cellular network associated with a multicast/broadcast multimedia service (MBMS). The UE may transmit, to the cellular network, a request to join the MBMS. The UE may receive, from the cellular network and based at least in part on being registered with the cellular network, a response that indicates an MBMS service key (MSK) and MSK identifier pair. Numerous other aspects are described.