Relay Communication Discovery Security Through AMF and PCF

The patent introduces AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and PCF (Policy Control Function) as intermediary network elements between the relay UE and the discovery message transmission. These intermediaries manage the security information acquisition process, where the AMF communicates with the PCF to obtain security parameters and forwards them to the relay UE. This intermediary architecture enables security protection while maintaining a structured and manageable complexity in the communication setup process.

The patent implements preliminary action by acquiring security information (such as keys and algorithms) before the actual relay communication discovery begins. The relay UE first requests security information from the AMF, which then obtains it from the PCF. This preliminary acquisition of security parameters allows the subsequent discovery messages to be encrypted and protected, ensuring security is established before any potentially vulnerable communication occurs.

The AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) serves multiple functions: it manages the relay UE's access and mobility, acts as an intermediary for security information acquisition, and forwards security parameters to the relay UE. By making the AMF multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated security management components, which can help optimize the time required for security information acquisition while maintaining enhanced security protection.

The patent merges the security information acquisition process with the existing AMF and PCF network element interactions that are already part of the 5G core network architecture. Instead of introducing entirely new separate security management systems, the security functions are integrated into the existing AMF-PCF communication pathway, leveraging already-established network infrastructure to reduce additional setup time.