5G RNAU Security Verification Parameter Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G systems, terminals in an RRC inactive state face challenges in securely updating their radio access network-based notification areas, as they need to determine the correct security verification parameter for successful RNAU processes, especially when the anchor access network device changes, leading to inconsistent security parameters and failed verification.

Innovation Solution

The method involves sending a first message to an access network device requesting an RRC connection or RNAU, with a security parameter including a C-RNTI, and determining the security verification parameter based on an indication from the access network device, ensuring consistency with the stored parameter for successful security verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the terminal uses a security verification parameter from a previous RNAU process, then the RNAU process can be initiated, but the security verification may fail due to parameter inconsistency when the anchor access network device changes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRNAU process efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity verification success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device sends indication information to the terminal regarding whether the anchor access network device has changed. The terminal uses this feedback to determine whether to update the security verification parameter, ensuring consistency between the terminal's parameter selection and the network's verification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before the terminal initiates the RNAU process, the access network device performs preliminary determination of whether the anchor access network device has changed and sends indication information to the terminal. This preliminary action ensures the terminal selects the correct security verification parameter before the actual RNAU, preventing verification failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the terminal determines the security verification parameter autonomously without network indication, then the RNAU process can proceed quickly, but the security parameter consistency cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter determination timeVSAvoidsecurity parameter consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device provides feedback through indication information that directly guides the terminal's parameter selection. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex autonomous determination while ensuring the terminal selects the correct security verification parameter consistent with network state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal stores multiple security verification parameters from different base stations, then the terminal can serve multiple base stations, but the complexity of determining the correct parameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-base station service capabilityVSAvoidparameter selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device sends indication information that directly identifies which security verification parameter the terminal should use. This feedback simplifies the terminal's decision-making process, transforming a complex multi-parameter selection problem into a simple indication-following operation, while maintaining the ability to serve multiple base stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If the access network device does not provide indication information about anchor device changes, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the terminal cannot determine the correct security verification parameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidsecurity parameter determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for parameter determination - a compact indication bit or field indicating whether the anchor access network device has changed. This minimal extraction provides sufficient guidance for the terminal while keeping signaling overhead low, avoiding transmission of redundant information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3813426B1Method, apparatus and system for security verification
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3813426B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3813426B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3813426B1 patent drawingFigure 4-1A

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and a communications apparatus, and relate to the field of communications technologies. Therefore, a terminal and an access network device can use consistent security verification parameters to successfully implement security verification in an RNAU process. The method may include: sending a first message to an access network device, where the first message is used for requesting to resume a radio resource control RRC connection or requesting to perform a radio access network-based notification area update RNAU; receiving a second message from the access network device, where the second message includes first information, and the first information is related to a security verification parameter; and determining the security verification parameter based on the first information.