Terminal Identifier Mapping for MTC Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing cell mobile communication systems, terminals with multiple External Identifiers (EIDs) face challenges in correctly identifying the correct EID for network responses, leading to potential security hazards due to excessive exposure of the authentic IMSI during MSISDN-less communications.
Innovation Solution
A message processing method where the network side device uses a Local Identifier (LID) or triggering-specific identifier instead of the authentic IMSI in the TP-DA parameter, allowing for correct EID retrieval and response to MTC server requests, thereby ensuring terminal security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the TP-DA parameter is written as IMSI in MSISDN-less communications, then terminal identification is achieved, but terminal security deteriorates due to excessive exposure of authentic IMSI
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces EID (External Identifier) as an intermediary identifier to replace IMSI in the TP-DA parameter. The EID consists of DID (Domain Identifier) and LID (Local Identifier), where LID acts as a pseudonym that maps to the actual IMSI through the HSS. This intermediary mechanism allows terminal identification while preventing direct exposure of the authentic IMSI, thus resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the terminal identifier system by introducing EID as a separate identifier structure that mirrors the functionality of IMSI without exposing it. The LID portion of EID serves as a copy or alias of the terminal's identity, which can be used in communications without revealing the original IMSI. This copying approach enables identification while maintaining security by keeping the authentic IMSI hidden.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal with multiple EIDs responds to MTC server triggering requests, then communication functionality is improved, but network side device complexity increases due to inability to distinguish between different EIDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the EID into two distinct parts: DID (Domain Identifier) and LID (Local Identifier). The DID portion allows the network to identify which domain or service the terminal belongs to, while the LID serves as a unique local identifier within that domain. This segmentation enables the network side to distinguish between different EIDs by comparing both DID and LID components, thus managing multiple EIDs without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The HSS (Home Subscriber Server) acts as an intermediary that stores the mapping relationships between EIDs and IMSIs. When the network receives a triggering request with an EID, the HSS uses this EID as a key to retrieve the corresponding IMSI and terminal context. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the network's task of handling multiple EIDs by centralizing the resolution process in the HSS, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a message processing method with respect to a terminal having multiple External Identifiers (EIDs) and a network side device, and the method includes: a network side device transmits an SMS message carrying a triggering message to a terminal, upon a triggering request from an MTC server, wherein the SMS message contains a TPDU, in which a TP-DA parameter is written as an LID of an EID or a triggering-specific identifier configured for the terminal; the network side device receives a triggering response from the terminal; the EID corresponding to the terminal is retrieved according to the LID or triggering-specific identifier carried in the triggering response; and the triggering request from the MTC server is responded according to the retrieved EID. The disclosure makes it possible for a network side to correctly respond to a triggering request from an MTC server while the security of the terminal is ensured.