SeNB Key Update Method Bundling Multiple Signaling Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face inefficiencies in key updates for user equipment (UE) connected to multiple secondary eNBs, leading to increased air interface resource consumption and control plane signaling interactions, which degrade user experience and increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for SeNB key updates that allow a master eNB to calculate and send key update information to multiple connected SeNBs simultaneously, reducing the number of control plane signaling interactions by bundling key update requests and acknowledgments into a single RRC reconfiguration request, thereby improving key update efficiency and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MeNB sends key update requests to multiple SeNBs separately using prior art procedures, then each SeNB can be updated individually, but the control plane signaling interaction increases and air interface resources are consumed multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate key update procedures into a single unified RRC reconfiguration message that contains key update information for multiple SeNBs. Instead of sending individual update requests to each SeNB and receiving separate acknowledgments, the MeNB consolidates all key update information into one message sent to the UE, which then distributes it to the relevant SeNBs. This reduces control plane signaling interactions from multiple separate exchanges to a single consolidated exchange.
2Reliability
If the MeNB sends key update signaling to the same UE multiple times for N SeNBs, then each SeNB receives its key update, but air interface resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple key update signaling transmissions into a single RRC reconfiguration message that carries key update information for multiple SeNBs simultaneously. The MeNB includes key update information for all relevant SeNBs in one message to the UE, eliminating the need for multiple separate transmissions over the air interface. This single transmission delivers all necessary key updates, reducing air interface resource consumption while ensuring reliable delivery to all SeNBs.
3Reliability
If separate key update procedures are used for each SeNB, then individual SeNB key updates are ensured, but key update efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the key update operations for multiple SeNBs into a single coordinated procedure. The MeNB prepares key update information for multiple SeNBs and includes it all in one RRC reconfiguration message to the UE. The UE then processes all key updates in one operation and distributes them to the respective SeNBs. This approach maintains individual SeNB key update reliability while dramatically improving overall key update efficiency by performing what would otherwise require multiple separate procedures in a single operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an SeNB key update method, including: establishing, by an MeNB, an RRC connection to UE, and determining a first SeNB and a second SeNB that are connected to the UE; calculating, by the MeNB, a key S-KeNB1 of the first SeNB and a key S-KeNB2 of the second SeNB, and sending an SeNB addition request to the first SeNB and the second SeNB; receiving, by the MeNB, a first request acknowledgment message fed back by the first SeNB, and receiving a second request acknowledgment message fed back by the second SeNB; and sending, by the MeNB, an RRC reconfiguration request to the UE according to the first request acknowledgment message and the second request acknowledgment message, where the RRC reconfiguration request carries key update information of the first SeNB and key update information of the second SeNB. Embodiments of the present invention further provide an SeNB key update apparatus. Using the embodiments of the present invention may specifically have advantages of reducing times of control plane signaling interaction between the MeNB and the UE, improving key update efficiency, and enhancing user experience of key update.