Security Context Indication for Inter-RAT Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
During inter radio access technology mobility, electronic devices face challenges in distinguishing between source and target key set indicators, leading to failures in determining the correct security context, as the range of both indicators is similar, causing issues in switching between different radio access networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a core network node establishes inter radio access technology mobility for an electronic device by determining and transmitting the appropriate security context, using a source or target key set indicator to ensure correct security context activation, thereby enabling seamless switching between radio access networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the core network node uses source key set indicator or target key set indicator to indicate security context, then the security context can be indicated to the electronic device, but the electronic device fails to distinguish between source and target key set indicators because their ranges are similar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of key set indicator by introducing a dedicated bit flag (first bit) that is set to 1 for cached security context and 0 for mapped security context. This parameter modification enables clear differentiation between source and target key set indicators, resolving the ambiguity where both indicators had similar ranges.
2Reliability
If the electronic device uses mapped security context during inter RAT mobility, then the security context can be activated, but the device cannot properly switch to cached security context after mobility because it cannot distinguish between the two context types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the core network node sends a specific indication (first bit set to 1) to the electronic device to signal that the cached security context should be used. This feedback enables the electronic device to properly switch from mapped to cached security context after inter RAT mobility, making the switching operation reliable and straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for notifying a security context to an electronic device for inter radio access technology mobility is provided. The method includes establishing the inter radio access technology mobility for the electronic device by a core network node. The method also includes determining a security context for the electronic device based on the establishing by the core network node. Further, the method includes transmitting an indication of the security context to the electronic device based on the determination. The system includes a core network node to determine the security context for the electronic device. The system also includes a source radio access network node to transmit an indication of the security context to the electronic device and the electronic device using the security context for the inter radio access technology mobility.