Mobile Terminal Authentication Code for Wireless Handover Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing EAP authentication process in wireless communication systems is time-consuming and causes delays, particularly during handovers, due to extensive messaging between the authenticator and the AAA server, which can lead to dropped calls and affect real-time data communication.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the Mobile Terminal (MT) adding an authentication code to the Network Access Identifier (NAI) and generating a new authentication key using a hash function, allowing the AAA server to verify authentication and relay the new key to the authenticator, reducing the need for repeated messaging and processing during handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the existing EAP authentication process is used during handover, then authentication security is maintained, but authentication latency increases and real-time communication is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing authentication credentials (MSK, EMSK, and signed NAI) in the mobile terminal before handover occurs. When handover happens, the pre-computed signed NAI is immediately presented to the new authenticator, eliminating the need for time-consuming EAP challenge-response exchanges. This allows authentication to proceed rapidly using previously prepared credentials, thus reducing authentication latency while maintaining security through cryptographic verification of the signed NAI by the home AAA server.
2Reliability
If the EAP authentication messages are exchanged repeatedly between authenticator and AAA server, then authentication reliability is ensured, but message exchange complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication proof (signed NAI) from the complex EAP message exchange process and presents it directly to the authenticator. Instead of engaging in multiple back-and-forth EAP messages between the mobile terminal and AAA server, the terminal extracts and presents a compact signed NAI that encapsulates the authentication proof. The authenticator then verifies this extracted credential with the home AAA server in a single interaction, significantly reducing message exchange complexity while maintaining authentication reliability through cryptographic verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for authenticating in a wireless communication system. The system includes a Mobile Terminal (MT), an authenticator, and an Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA) server. When the authenticator requests NAI information for authentication, the MT adds an authentication code to the NAI, and sends a response message including the NAI information to the authenticator. The authenticator relays the NAI to which the authentication code is added, to the AAA server. The AAA server extracts the authentication code from the NAI information, verifies the authentication of the MT, generates a new authentication key, and transmits the new authentication key to the authenticator.