QUIC Multipath Encryption for Low-Overhead End-to-End Tunneling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern networking protocols face challenges in maintaining efficient end-to-end encryption across multiple layers and network nodes, leading to bottlenecks and increased resource overhead due to duplicative tunnels and unordered packet delivery.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multipath connection using QUIC encryption with shared keys across network nodes and layers, ensuring secure tunneling without redundant overhead by maintaining packet order and optimizing path selection based on network conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional networking protocols use separate encryption tunnels at different layers, then encryption security is improved, but resource overhead and complexity increase due to duplicative tunnels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption securityVSAvoidresource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges encryption operations across multiple protocol layers by implementing a unified encryption mechanism at the QUIC layer that encrypts data before it enters the network, eliminating the need for separate encryption tunnels at lower layers. This consolidation maintains security while reducing redundant resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The QUIC layer encryption mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides end-to-end encryption, handles packet sequencing, and eliminates the need for separate tunneling mechanisms at lower layers. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple encryption tunnels are implemented across different layers, then end-to-end encryption is improved, but packet delivery efficiency deteriorates due to unordered packet delivery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend-to-end encryptionVSAvoidpacket delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the encryption and packet delivery functions into distinct operational phases: encryption occurs at the QUIC layer before packet formation, while packet ordering is handled by the network layer. This segmentation allows each function to optimize independently, maintaining encryption integrity while improving packet delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The QUIC layer acts as an intermediary that performs encryption before data enters the network, while the network layer handles packet routing and ordering. This intermediary approach allows encryption to be decoupled from packet delivery operations, resolving the conflict between security and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If shared keys are used across multiple network nodes, then encryption efficiency is improved, but security risk increases if keys are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different key management strategies for different network nodes: the user device generates and stores encryption keys locally, while network nodes like the UPF use shared keys for specific functions. This localized key management optimizes encryption efficiency at each node while limiting the impact of key compromise to specific areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12432146B2Methods and apparatuses for handling end-to-end encryption
Publication Date: 2025.09.30 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC
  • US12432146B2 patent drawing
  • US12432146B2 patent drawing
  • US12432146B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for handling end-to-end encryption are described. A user device may send encrypted data to a server via a proxy using an encryption key shared with multiple network nodes across multiple layers. The proxy device may create an encrypted tunnel with an application server and send the encrypted data over the encrypted tunnel to the application server. The application server may receive the encrypted data over the encrypted tunnel from the proxy device. The application server may decrypt the encrypted data.