Uplink Downlink Security Parameter Indication for Wireless Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-Advanced systems, during PCell changes or security parameter updates, there is a confusion stage where it is unclear whether uplink or downlink data is encrypted with the source or target security key, leading to incorrect decryption and disrupted data transmission.

Innovation Solution

Introducing security parameter indications into uplink and downlink data, allowing the base station and user equipment to determine the correct security parameter used for processing, ensuring accurate decryption by including a first or second security parameter indication in the data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If data transmission continues during PCell change without security parameter indications, then data transmission continuity is maintained, but decryption accuracy deteriorates due to confusion about which security key to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoiddecryption accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A security parameter indication field is introduced as an intermediary element in the data transmission process. This field explicitly carries information about which security parameter (source or target) was used to encrypt the data, enabling the receiving end to accurately select the corresponding decryption key without interrupting data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of data packets by adding a security parameter indication parameter. This parameter transformation allows the receiving end to distinguish between data encrypted with source security parameters and data encrypted with target security parameters, resolving the decryption key selection ambiguity during PCell transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If security parameters are changed during PCell change, then security freshness is improved, but system complexity increases due to dual security parameter management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity freshnessVSAvoidsecurity parameter management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The source base station performs preliminary actions by setting the security parameter indication field before transmitting data during the transition period. This allows the receiving end to proactively identify and select the correct security parameter without needing complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The security parameter indication field acts as a feedback mechanism that provides explicit information about the encryption state of transmitted data. This feedback loop eliminates the need for complex inference algorithms at the receiving end, simplifying the overall security parameter management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If security parameter indications are added to data, then decryption accuracy is improved, but data processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecryption accuracyVSAvoiddata processing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security parameter indication field is designed to be compact and selective, providing just enough information (source or target indicator) to enable accurate decryption without adding excessive overhead. This partial information approach achieves the necessary decryption accuracy while minimizing processing burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3457752B1Data transmission methods and apparatuses
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3457752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3457752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3457752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and specifically, to a data transmission method and an apparatus. According to the data transmission method provided in embodiments of the present invention, a first security parameter indication is introduced into uplink data on a first bearer, and a base station can determine, based on the first security parameter indication in the uplink data, whether first security processing of the uplink data is performed by using a first security parameter or a second security parameter, so as to select a corresponding security parameter to perform second security processing, thereby resolving a problem that decrypted data at a confusion stage is incorrect, and enabling the uplink data to be uninterruptedly transmitted; and a second security parameter indication is introduced into downlink data, and UE can determine, based on the second security parameter indication in the downlink data, whether the first security processing of the data is performed by using the first security parameter or the second security parameter, so as to select a corresponding security parameter to perform the second security processing, thereby resolving a problem that decrypted data at a confusion stage is incorrect, and enabling the downlink data to be uninterruptedly transmitted.