Token-Based Wireless Device Association with Basestations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network systems face challenges in ensuring only authorized devices access network resources and maintaining a single point of access for each device, particularly in distributed authentication mechanisms without a central authority.
Innovation Solution
A token-based system where each wireless device is associated with a unique token, allowing it to connect only to a basestation holding that token, with mechanisms for token transfer and revocation to manage access and ensure a single point of access, even in cases where the original basestation is unreachable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed authentication mechanism is used without a central authority, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A distributed authentication server acts as an intermediary between wireless devices and basestations, managing token distribution and validation without requiring a central authority. The authentication server receives authentication requests from basestations, generates or validates tokens, and returns authentication results, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining distributed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses token-based authentication where the authentication state is represented by a token parameter. When a device is authenticated, a token is generated or updated and associated with the device's identifier. This parameter change approach allows the system to track authentication states and enforce single-point-access policies without complex centralized coordination.
2Reliability
If token transfer mechanisms are implemented to ensure single point of access, then access control reliability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and token generation before actual data transmission. The authentication server generates tokens in advance and stores them associated with device identifiers. When a device connects to a basestation, the basestation can quickly validate the pre-generated token without requiring real-time complex verification, thereby reducing communication overhead and transfer time.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication and token management functions are extracted from the basestation and centralized in a dedicated authentication server. This separation allows the basestation to focus on data transmission while the authentication server handles token generation, validation, and transfer coordination, reducing the communication overhead at the basestation level.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temporary tokens are assigned for unreachable basestations, then system adaptability is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential basestation unavailability by implementing token transfer mechanisms in advance. When a basestation becomes unreachable, the system can transfer the device's token to an alternative basestation that is currently accessible. This beforehand preparation ensures continuous access while maintaining security through controlled token transfer protocols managed by the authentication server.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention is directed to associating a wireless device with a basestation. A connection request is received from the wireless device. The wireless device is authenticated to the basestation. A token-transfer-request message is received. The wireless device is associated with the basestation by transferring a token associated with the wireless device to the basestation.