Secondary Cell Group Key Switching for Secure Low-Latency Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems experience latency, overhead, and security vulnerabilities during UE mobility between cells, particularly in lower layer (L1/L2) mobility implementations.
Innovation Solution
A UE informs the master cell group (MCG) of an impending connectivity switch to a secondary cell group (SCG), and the MCG generates a new secondary key using a security counter value, which is then transmitted to the UE and SCG for secure data transmission, with incremental counter value updates for each visit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional UE mobility procedures are used for switching connectivity between cells, then connectivity switching can be achieved, but latency and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring security parameters (security counter values and secondary keys) for multiple SCGs before mobility switching occurs. When the UE needs to switch from one SCG to another, the pre-configured parameters enable immediate connectivity establishment without the latency of traditional key generation and signaling procedures, thus reducing loss of time while maintaining productivity
2Productivity
If traditional UE mobility procedures are used for switching connectivity between cells, then connectivity switching can be achieved, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces signaling overhead by pre-configuring security parameters for multiple SCGs in advance. Instead of exchanging extensive signaling messages during each mobility event, the UE and network already have the necessary security counter values and secondary keys ready, eliminating the need for repeated key generation signaling and reducing information loss associated with overhead
3Speed
If lower layer (L1/L2) mobility implementations are used, then switching speed improves, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses security vulnerabilities in fast switching by pre-generating and distributing secondary keys and security counter values for multiple SCGs before mobility occurs. This preliminary security setup ensures that even during rapid L1/L2 switching operations, each target SCG already has validated security parameters, maintaining reliability while preserving the speed benefits of lower layer mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces security counter values as an intermediary mechanism that enables fast L1/L2 mobility while maintaining security. The counter values act as a mediator that allows the UE to quickly switch between SCGs using pre-configured secondary keys, without requiring complex real-time authentication procedures, thus achieving both speed and security
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems that support key for connectivity to a cell group. For instance, implementations provide ways for a UE to securely switch connectivity from a first SCG associated with a master cell group (MCG) to a second SCG associated with the MCG. The UE, for example, has previously connected to (e.g., visited) the second SCG. The UE informs the MCG of the upcoming connectivity switch. Accordingly, the MCG uses a security counter value to generate a new secondary key and the MCG transmits the security counter value to the UE. Further, the MCG transmits the new secondary key to the second SCG. Thus, the UE can generate the secondary key using the security counter value and the UE and the second SCG can transmit and receive data using the secondary key.