Relay Device Lawful Intercept for ProSe Remote UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing lawful intercept in ProSe communications is challenging when mobile devices are out of cellular network coverage, as they become invisible to the network, making it difficult for Law Enforcement Agencies to intercept communications.
Innovation Solution
A relay device authenticates remote User Equipment (UE) identities without network involvement and reports this information to the cellular network, using techniques like ECCSI or digital certificates, allowing lawful intercept services even when UE is indirectly connected via ProSe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile devices establish direct communication paths through ProSe communications, then spectrum utilization and network performance are improved, but the ability to perform lawful intercept is lost when devices are out of cellular network coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the remote UE and the cellular network. This relay device maintains connectivity to the cellular network while enabling direct ProSe communication with remote UEs, thereby preserving lawful intercept capability through the relay's connection to the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dual-connectivity dimension where remote UEs simultaneously maintain ProSe direct communication links and indirect cellular network links through relay devices. This allows lawful intercept to function through the cellular dimension while ProSe communication occurs through the direct link dimension.
2Area of stationary object
If relay devices are used to couple remote mobile devices to the cellular network, then coverage is extended, but the complexity of implementing lawful intercept increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device performs self-authentication of remote UEs using ECCSI or digital certificates without requiring complex network involvement. This self-service authentication mechanism reduces the complexity of lawful intercept implementation by eliminating the need for additional network authentication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device pre-authenticates remote UEs before they become invisible to the network, storing authentication information that can be reported to law enforcement agencies when needed. This preliminary authentication action simplifies subsequent lawful intercept operations.
3Speed
If remote UEs are authenticated without network involvement, then authentication speed is improved, but the network loses visibility of remote UE identities
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device provides feedback to the cellular network by reporting authenticated remote UE identities and identification information. This feedback mechanism maintains network visibility of remote UEs while preserving the speed benefits of local authentication, as the relay only reports when necessary for lawful intercept purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay device assists in enabling lawful intercept (LI) by reporting, to a LI entity associated with the cellular network, authenticated identities of remote UEs (such as remote UEs connected via proximity services) and identification information that may allow the LI entity to monitor traffic (and/or control statistics related to the traffic) associated with the remote UEs. The authentication of the remote UEs may be performed using a technique that does not require involvement of the cellular network.