Tactical Access Point Proxy for Low-Overhead Secure 5G Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G specifications impose significant over-the-air bandwidth overhead due to multiple security protocol layers when a mobile device accesses the 5G Core Network using a Wi-Fi interface, limiting efficient communication in contested environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Tactical Access Point Proxy (TAPP) that proxies 3GPP security functions into non-3GPP security functions, removing unnecessary protocol layers before transmission over secure non-3GPP waveforms like Warrior Robust Enhanced Network (WREN), and restoring these layers upon reception to ensure compliance with 5G standards while reducing bandwidth overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple 3GPP security protocol layers are implemented for secure communication over Wi-Fi, then security reliability is improved, but over-the-air bandwidth overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes redundant 3GPP security protocol layers (IPSec, EAP, IKEv2) from the communication stack when operating over secure non-3GPP waveforms. The TAPP function identifies that the waveform's native security mechanisms provide equivalent protection, allowing removal of unnecessary protocol layers and reducing over-the-air bandwidth overhead while maintaining security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security protocol parameter configuration based on the communication medium. When detecting operation over secure non-3GPP waveforms, the system dynamically adjusts security parameters by disabling redundant 3GPP-specific protocols and enabling waveform-native security features, thereby optimizing the balance between security reliability and bandwidth efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full 3GPP protocol stack is used for compatibility with 5G core network, then interoperability is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol stack into two functional parts: the TAPP function handles security protocol adaptation and conversion, while the waveform layer handles efficient data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to maintain 5G core network interoperability through the TAPP's protocol translation capabilities while achieving communication efficiency through the optimized waveform layer, preventing unnecessary protocol overhead from affecting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The TAPP function serves as an intermediary between the 5G core network's 3GPP protocol requirements and the non-3GPP waveform's native protocol structure. It translates and adapts protocols bidirectionally, allowing full interoperability with the 5G core network while enabling efficient communication over the waveform by filtering out redundant protocol layers.
3Productivity
If protocol layers are removed for bandwidth optimization, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but protocol compliance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The TAPP function acts as an intermediary that ensures protocol compliance at the network interface while allowing bandwidth optimization in the wireless medium. It maintains proper protocol formatting and compliance for communication with the 5G core network, while simultaneously removing redundant layers for the over-the-air portion, thus achieving both bandwidth efficiency and protocol compliance without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different protocol compliance requirements to different segments of the communication path. Full 3GPP protocol compliance is maintained at the network interface points (TAPP boundaries), while the wireless transmission medium utilizes optimized, reduced protocol stacks. This local differentiation of quality requirements allows bandwidth optimization without sacrificing overall protocol compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
The US Department of Defense is rapidly moving to incorporate 5G in its networking capabilities. Incorporating 5G should be done in secure manner, especially in contested environments. Indeed, 5G UEs are typically located at the tactical edge, while the 5G Core Network is located safely away from the operational theater. The 5G base stations may be near the edge or further back, but come with their own operational issues in a battle scenario. By utilizing the N3IWF/TNGF functionality, but replacing the Access Point with a secure tactical network, UEs can securely reach back to the 5G Core Network with greatly reduced overhead. The UE's communication remains robust even in the presence of reduced spectrum availability and/or intentional jamming by an enemy actor by using secure tactical networks and radios in a contested environment.