Mobile Device Context Storage via Network Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing context information in wireless communication systems, such as LTE and 5G networks, face challenges with responsiveness, scalability, cost, and reliability, particularly in machine-type communications and dormant mobile devices, where preserving context information is crucial for low-latency data transfers.
Innovation Solution
A method where context information is encrypted by a network device and transmitted to a mobile device for storage, along with a cryptographic key indication, allowing the device to decrypt and manage its own context information, enabling secure, self-stored context preservation and efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If context information is stored in a centralised data store, then context preservation is achieved, but responsiveness, scalability, cost, and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device stores its own context information locally in its memory, making the system self-service. The device autonomously manages its context without relying on external centralised storage, thereby improving reliability and reducing dependency on complex centralised infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The context information is extracted from the network-side storage and transferred to the mobile device for local storage. This extraction eliminates the need for complex centralised storage systems while maintaining context preservation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If context information is stored in base stations using distributed storage, then scalability is improved, but responsiveness deteriorates due to limited connectivity between base stations
Solution Approach 1:
Each mobile device becomes its own context storage, eliminating dependencies on base station connectivity for context access. The device can retrieve its own context immediately from local memory without waiting for network communication between base stations, thus improving responsiveness while maintaining scalability.
3Reliability
If context information is stored in base stations, then context preservation is achieved, but cost increases due to reliable data storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device utilizes its own existing memory resources to store context information, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated storage infrastructure at base stations. This self-service approach reduces overall system cost while maintaining reliable context preservation through local storage.
4Speed
If context information is transmitted to mobile device for storage, then responsiveness is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cryptographic keys act as intermediaries between the network and the mobile device for secure context storage. The network encrypts context information using keys that are securely managed, creating a security layer that protects against unauthorized access while enabling fast local retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device autonomously manages its own context storage and retrieval operations, reducing network involvement in the actual data handling. This self-service approach minimizes security attack surfaces while maintaining fast local access to context information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for storing and using context information in a wireless communication network are provided. Context information is encrypted and transmitted to a mobile device for storage. A cryptographic key usable for decrypting the context information is stored at a radio access node or other node in the network and an indication of the key and the location of the key is stored at the mobile device. The mobile device transmits a message which includes the key identifier and location and the encrypted context information. The message may further include application data and the encrypted context information may include an indication of a further key for encrypting and decrypting application data in transmissions between the mobile device and the communications network. The encrypted context information may include the further key.