RRC Reconfiguration Ciphering Synchronization

Solution Overview

Problem

The third generation mobile communication system lacks clear guidelines for synchronizing ciphering configurations during system relocation, leading to data encrypting/decrypting errors and increased call-dropping probability due to asynchronous configurations between user devices and wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

A synchronization method where the wireless network transmits a RRC re-configuration message containing ciphering configuration information, prompting the user device to suspend measurement operations, change to a new ciphering configuration, and then resume operations after confirming the new configuration, ensuring both entities use the same configuration during system relocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs measurement operations at predetermined times according to the 3G mobile communication standard, then the measurement reports can be transmitted to the UTRAN, but the UE and UTRAN become unsynchronized when using different ciphering configurations, causing data encrypting/decrypting errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata encryption/decryption reliabilityVSAvoidinformation loss due to asynchronous ciphering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UTRAN transmit the ciphering configuration information to the UE before the UE performs measurement operations and transmits measurement reports. This ensures the UE can encrypt data using the correct ciphering configuration before actual data transmission occurs, preventing asynchronous encryption errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the RRC response message mechanism. The UE transmits an RRC response message to the UTRAN after receiving the ciphering configuration information, confirming that both parties have synchronized their ciphering configurations. This feedback loop ensures both the UTRAN and UE are using the same configuration for encryption/decryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UTRAN uses a new ciphering configuration to receive measurement reports, then data security is improved, but transmission failures and call-dropping probability increase due to configuration desynchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall connection reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UTRAN transmit the ciphering configuration information to the UE before the UE performs measurement operations and transmits measurement reports. This ensures the UE can encrypt data using the correct ciphering configuration before actual data transmission occurs, preventing asynchronous encryption errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the RRC response message mechanism. The UE transmits an RRC response message to the UTRAN after receiving the ciphering configuration information, confirming that both parties have synchronized their ciphering configurations. This feedback loop ensures both the UTRAN and UE are using the same configuration for encryption/decryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the UE changes to a new ciphering configuration before transmitting measurement reports, then encryption security is enhanced, but synchronization with the UTRAN is lost causing data decrypting errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata encryption securityVSAvoidinformation loss due to decryption errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UTRAN transmit the ciphering configuration information to the UE before the UE performs measurement operations and transmits measurement reports. This ensures the UE can encrypt data using the correct ciphering configuration before actual data transmission occurs, preventing asynchronous encryption errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the RRC response message mechanism. The UE transmits an RRC response message to the UTRAN after receiving the ciphering configuration information, confirming that both parties have synchronized their ciphering configurations. This feedback loop ensures both the UTRAN and UE are using the same configuration for encryption/decryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8068451B2Communication system, user device thereof and synchronization method thereof

Publication Date: 2011.11.29 HTC CORP

AI summary

A communication system, user device thereof, and a synchronization method thereof are provided. The communication system includes a user device and a wireless network. The wireless network transmits a RRC re-configuration message containing ciphering configuration information to a user device on a logical link. The user device suspends all measurement operation transmitting measurement report after receiving the RRC re-configuration message. The user device changes to a new ciphering configuration according to the RRC re-configuration message, and the wireless network changes to the new ciphering configuration. The user device transmits a RRC response message to respond the RRC re-configuration message to the wireless network. The user device resumes the measurement operation after changing to the new configuration.