Mobile Radio Integrity Protection During Controller Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile radio systems face inefficiencies in integrity protection procedures during relocation of server radio access network controllers, particularly in decoding and calculating message authentication codes, which leads to increased processing complexity and lack of flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The method involves additional information transfer between target and source controllers to ensure consistent message construction and code calculation, including MAC-I code calculation parameters, radio bearer identity, and sequence numbers, allowing the source controller to bypass decoding and recalculation, and using additional containers for transparent communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the source controller decodes and recalculates the MAC-I code during relocation, then message integrity is protected, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the MAC-I code calculation function from the source controller and relocates it to the target controller. The target controller calculates the MAC-I code using the integrity protection algorithm and necessary parameters, then transfers it to the source controller for direct insertion into the message. This extraction eliminates the need for the source controller to perform decoding and recalculation, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining integrity protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the target controller acts as a mediator that pre-calculates the MAC-I code before transfer. The source controller receives the pre-calculated code along with necessary parameters (integrity algorithm identifier, pseudo-random value, sequence number, radio bearer identity) and uses them directly without performing complex decoding and recalculation operations. This intermediary approach simplifies the source controller's processing burden.
2Reliability
If the source controller decodes and recalculates the MAC-I code, then integrity protection is ensured, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the target controller calculate the MAC-I code in advance during the relocation process, before the message needs to be sent. The target controller performs the integrity protection calculation using the available parameters (integrity algorithm, pseudo-random value FRESH, sequence number COUNT-I, message content, radio bearer identity) and prepares the MAC-I code for direct use. This preliminary calculation eliminates the need for time-consuming decoding and recalculation at the source controller, significantly reducing processing time while ensuring integrity protection is maintained.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional information is transferred between controllers, then flexibility is enhanced, but information transfer complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information transfer into distinct, well-defined components: the MAC-I code itself, the integrity algorithm identifier, the pseudo-random value, the sequence number, and the radio bearer identity. Each component is separately identified and transferred through standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility in handling different relocation scenarios while managing transfer complexity through structured, modular information exchange rather than monolithic data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of protecting the integrity of messages sent between a mobile terminal and a server radio access network controller in a mobile radio system, in which method a message sent is protected by a code calculated on sending and, in the event of a change of server radio access network controller from a source controller to a target controller, a message sent to the mobile terminal by the source controller, for forwarding to the mobile terminal information created in the target controller and then transferred by the target controller to the source controller, is protected by a code calculated in the target controller.