Terminal Security Mode Switching for Uu and PC5 Data Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications systems face challenges in ensuring data transmission security when terminal devices switch between different communications modes, such as the PC5 interface and Uu interface, as the security protection modes are not synchronized, leading to potential data interception and degradation.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for determining a security protection mode by a terminal device to ensure data security during mode switching, involving the use of security protection information to predetermine or negotiate a compatible security protection mode based on existing security policies and information, ensuring the protection level is maintained or enhanced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device uses different communications modes (Uu interface and PC5 interface) for data transmission, then communication flexibility and adaptability are improved, but data security protection is degraded due to inconsistent security protection modes between different communications modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication mode flexibilityVSAvoiddata security protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device determines the second security protection mode in advance based on the first security protection mode before communications mode switching occurs. This preliminary determination of the security protection mode for the target communications mode ensures that security protection is maintained or enhanced after mode switching, resolving the contradiction between communication flexibility and data security protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the terminal device switches from Uu interface communications mode to PC5 interface communications mode, then direct communication efficiency is improved, but data security is worsened because PC5 interface does not provide encryption protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddata interception risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device determines the second security protection mode in advance based on the first security protection mode before switching to PC5 interface communications. This ensures that even though PC5 interface is used for efficient direct communication, the terminal device maintains security protection by determining appropriate security parameters beforehand, thus preventing data interception while preserving communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device changes the security protection parameters by determining a second security protection mode corresponding to the PC5 interface communications mode. This parameter change ensures that security protection is adapted to the new communications mode while maintaining protection levels, allowing the terminal to benefit from PC5 interface efficiency without sacrificing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the terminal device determines security protection mode in real-time during communications mode switching, then security protection is maintained, but communication delay increases due to additional determination time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protection consistencyVSAvoidmode switching delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device determines the second security protection mode in advance based on the first security protection mode before communications mode switching occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time security mode determination during switching, thereby maintaining security protection consistency while avoiding additional time delay during mode transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3863314B1Method and apparatus for determining security protection mode
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3863314B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863314B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3863314B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a method and an apparatus for determining a security protection mode. In the method, a terminal device may determine a security protection mode of a second communications mode based on security protection information in a first communications mode. In this way, when switching from the first communications mode to the second communications mode, the terminal device may directly use the security protection mode corresponding to the second communications mode to protect transmitted data, so as to ensure data security of the terminal device after communications mode switching is performed.