PDCP User Plane Integrity Protection for Rel-15 and Rel-16 Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no support for user plane integrity protection in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) in Rel-15 ng-eNB in Options 4, 5, and 7, limiting the ability of Rel-15 UEs to use user plane integrity protection with Rel-16 ng-eNBs, and there is no mechanism to detect altered or modified user data traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods for enabling user plane integrity protection (UP IP) in PDCP between a UE and a ng-eNB in Options 4, 5, and 7 by sending indications of UP IP mode support during procedures like PDU Session Establishment, Service Request, Registration Request, and mobility registration updates, using long term evolution radio access nodes to activate integrity protection for data radio bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user plane integrity protection is implemented in PDCP for Rel-15 ng-eNB in Options 4, 5, and 7, then data integrity and detection of altered traffic are improved, but device complexity and protocol implementation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with user plane integrity protection capabilities and indicators during initial network attachment. The UE sends indication messages during PDU session establishment, service request, and registration procedures to preemptively establish integrity protection parameters before actual data transmission occurs, thereby simplifying real-time implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanism through the use of indication messages and capability indicators as mediators between the UE and network nodes. These intermediaries carry integrity protection parameters and mode information through existing signaling protocols (PDU session establishment, service request, registration), avoiding the need for direct complex integration of integrity protection functions in PDCP.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user plane integrity protection mode indications are exchanged during multiple procedures (PDU session establishment, service request, registration), then adaptability and network flexibility are improved, but loss of time and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the indication messages serve multiple functions across different procedures. The same indication mechanism is used in PDU session establishment, service request, and registration procedures to convey user plane integrity protection capabilities and mode preferences, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signaling for each function and reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining integrity protection indication messages across multiple procedure types. Once the UE indicates its integrity protection capability and mode preference, this information is carried forward through subsequent procedures without requiring re-negotiation, allowing the network to make consistent security decisions across all data sessions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment, UE, for enabling user plane integrity protection of data in a packet data convergence protocol, PDCP, in a radio access network is provided. The method includes sending a session establishment request towards a session management node that includes an indication of a user plane integrity protection mode supported by the UE. The method further includes receiving an activation message from a receiving radio access node that includes an indication to the UE to activate the user plane integrity protection mode for a data radio bearer established with the receiving radio access node. Methods performed by a session management node, a target access and mobility node, and a radio access node are also provided.