Positioning Measurement Based Secret Key Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved security and integrity in wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, to protect against eavesdropping and tampering of communications between network entities.
Innovation Solution
A secret-key sharing scheme based on positioning measurements is introduced, where network devices derive a secret key from channel and positioning measurements to secure communication channels like PUCCH, DCI, and enhance security of channels like PDSCH and PUSCH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication security methods are used, then basic encryption is provided, but security against eavesdropping and tampering remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter basis for key generation from conventional shared secrets to positioning measurements (time of arrival, angle of arrival, signal strength). This parameter change ensures that only legitimate devices at specific locations can generate the same secret key, while eavesdroppers at different locations will generate different keys, thereby enhancing security against eavesdropping and tampering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning measurements as an intermediary element that mediates key generation between communicating devices. Instead of directly sharing keys or secrets, devices first perform positioning measurements using signals from network nodes, and these measurements serve as the basis for generating secret keys. This intermediary mechanism adds a location-based verification layer that prevents unauthorized key generation
2Reliability
If positioning measurements are used for secret key generation, then security is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the positioning measurement system multi-functional by using the same measurement infrastructure for both location determination and secret key generation. The time of arrival, angle of arrival, and signal strength measurements traditionally used for positioning now serve dual purposes: determining device location and generating secure communication keys. This eliminates the need for separate key generation hardware or protocols, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables devices to self-generate secret keys using their own positioning measurements without requiring external key distribution infrastructure. Each device independently performs measurements, processes the data, and generates its own secret key based on the measured parameters. This self-service approach reduces the complexity of centralized key management systems while maintaining enhanced security
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects presented herein provide an improved secret key sharing scheme based on positioning measurements, where a pair of network devices may extract an SK from a channel associated with positioning and use the SK to secure some unsecured channels and to further improve the security of other channels such as PDSCH and PUSCH from PHY security respective. In one aspect, a UE performs one or more positioning measurements based on a set of signals from at least one network node, where the one or more positioning measurements are associated with at least one of a location of the UE or a location of the at least one network node. The UE selects a secret key for communication with the at least one network node based on the one or more positioning measurements. The UE communicates with the at least one network node based on the secret key.