Network Unit Security Algorithm Selection for Wireless Interworking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in seamless interworking and mobility between different generations, particularly in selecting suitable security algorithms for secure communication during idle mode mobility, which can disrupt security levels and require additional activation procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a network unit that selects and stores lower generation security algorithms during registration or security context activation procedures, sending control messages to wireless communication devices, and storing these algorithms for secure communication between higher and lower generation wireless systems, eliminating the need for separate security activation procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate security activation procedures are implemented for interworking between different wireless communication systems, then security levels can be maintained, but the complexity of the system increases and additional activation procedures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the security algorithm selection for interworking into the existing registration or security context activation procedures. Instead of implementing separate security activation procedures, the network unit selects and configures appropriate security algorithms during the already-necessary registration process, thereby merging security configuration with existing operational procedures and avoiding additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network unit performs security algorithm selection and configuration in advance during the registration procedure, before actual interworking operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that security algorithms are pre-configured and ready, eliminating the need for separate security activation procedures later and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If separate security activation procedures are implemented for idle mode mobility, then security integrity is maintained, but the time required for mobility operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity integrityVSAvoidactivation procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the security algorithm selection for idle mode mobility into the existing registration or security context activation procedures. By combining these operations, the system avoids executing separate security activation procedures, thereby reducing the time required for mobility operations while maintaining security integrity through proper algorithm selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network unit selects and configures security algorithms in advance during the registration procedure, before idle mode mobility operations are needed. This preliminary configuration ensures that security algorithms are already in place when mobility occurs, eliminating time-consuming separate activation procedures while preserving security integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple security algorithms are selected and stored for different generations, then interworking between systems is enabled, but the amount of stored information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterworking capabilityVSAvoidstored information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network unit selects and stores only the specific security algorithms relevant to each generation's requirements during registration. Rather than storing all possible security algorithms universally, the system configures algorithms locally according to the specific interworking needs of each generation, thereby enabling interworking capability while minimizing the quantity of stored information to only what is necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11778475B2Supporting interworking and/or mobility between different wireless communication systems

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

There is provided a method performed by a network unit, and a corresponding network unit as well as a corresponding wireless communication device, for supporting interworking and/or idle mode mobility between different wireless communication systems, including a higher generation wireless system and a lower generation wireless system, to enable secure communication with the wireless communication device. The method comprises selecting, in connection with a registration procedure and/or a security context activation procedure of the wireless communication device with the higher generation wireless system, at least one security algorithm of the lower generation wireless system, also referred to as lower generation security algorithm(s). The method also comprises sending a control message including information on the selected lower generation security algorithm(s) to the wireless communication device. The method further comprises storing information on the selected lower generation security algorithm(s) in the network unit.