Secure Physical Uplink Multiplexing Against Eavesdropping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack effective methods to secure multiplexed physical uplink channels, particularly in scenarios where information generated below layer 3 (e.g., PHY/MAC) is transmitted without encryption, leaving it vulnerable to eavesdropping.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) selects overlapping secure physical uplink channels, generates a secret key based on these channels, and encrypts multiplexed information to enhance security, using methods such as key derivation functions and security configurations to manage key priority and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical uplink channels are multiplexed to increase system capacity and resource utilization, then productivity is improved, but security is worsened because multiplexed channels become vulnerable to eavesdropping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating secret keys before multiplexing physical uplink channels. The key management entity derives secret keys from physical layer parameters (timing advance values, cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes) prior to channel multiplexing, ensuring that encryption is already in place before data transmission begins. This prevents eavesdropping on multiplexed channels while maintaining system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a key management entity that acts as a mediator between the physical layer and higher layers. This entity derives secret keys from physical layer parameters and provides them to the multiplexing process, creating a security layer that protects multiplexed channels without affecting system capacity or resource utilization.
2Reliability
If encryption is applied to multiplexed physical uplink channels to enhance security, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to key management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the physical layer to autonomously generate secret keys using its own parameters (timing advance values, cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes). The key management entity operates within the physical layer framework, deriving keys from existing physical layer resources without requiring complex external key management infrastructure. This reduces device complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms physical layer transmission parameters (timing advance values, cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes) into secret keys through parameter changes. By deriving cryptographic keys from existing physical layer parameters rather than introducing separate key generation mechanisms, the system enhances security without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If secret keys are derived from physical layer parameters to secure multiplexed channels, then security is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential key derivation vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the key derivation process into distinct components: timing advance values, cyclic shifts, and orthogonal cover codes. Each physical layer parameter contributes a separate element to the secret key generation process. This segmentation ensures that compromise of one parameter does not compromise the entire key, protecting data integrity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite secret key by combining multiple physical layer parameters (timing advance values, cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes). This composite approach ensures that the secret key derives its strength from the combination of multiple independent parameters, reducing the risk of information loss or compromise while enhancing security for multiplexed channels.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The method includes selecting a first secure physical uplink channel and a second secure physical uplink channel for multiplexing based on the first secure physical uplink channel and second secure physical uplink channel overlapping, generating a secret key based on selecting the first secure physical uplink channel and the second secure physical uplink channel for multiplexing in accordance with the first secure physical uplink channel overlapping the second secure physical uplink channel in time, generating multiplexed information based on multiplexing the first secure physical uplink channel and the second secure physical uplink channel, and encrypting the multiplexed information based on the secret key.