Secure Identifier Generation for UE Compliance Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks lack a secure procedure to verify user equipment (UE) compliance with communication network standards, such as 3GPP specifications, leading to potential security issues and non-compliance with regional regulations regarding RF emissions and hardware resources.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves generating a secure identifier for UE that includes a Permanent Equipment Identifier (PEI), which is used to perform compliance verification through the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) and enhanced authentication protocols, ensuring that only compliant devices are authorized for network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user equipment connects to the network without compliance verification, then network access convenience is improved, but network security and standards compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements compliance verification procedures before granting network access. The network entity verifies the equipment identifier against stored compliance data in advance, ensuring that only compliant devices are authenticated. This preliminary check prevents non-compliant devices from accessing the network while maintaining a streamlined authentication process for compliant devices.
2Reliability
If compliance verification procedures are implemented, then network security is improved, but authentication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates compliance verification into the existing authentication framework, where the same authentication messages carry both authentication and compliance verification functions. The network entity performs both authentication and compliance checks using the equipment identifier, eliminating the need for separate verification procedures and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the equipment identifier as an intermediary element that enables compliance verification without adding complex procedures. The identifier is embedded in existing authentication messages and checked against stored compliance data, serving as a simple yet effective mechanism to verify device compliance while maintaining authentication efficiency.
3Reliability
If equipment identifiers are securely transmitted, then compliance verification reliability is improved, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits only a copy or representation of the equipment identifier (such as a hash or encrypted form) rather than the full identifier, enabling compliance verification while protecting the original identifier from exposure. This approach allows the network to verify device compliance without directly handling sensitive identifier information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent protects the equipment identifier by transmitting it through an secured communication channel or in an encrypted form, creating a protected environment that prevents interception or manipulation. This ensures that the identifier information remains secure during transmission while still enabling reliable compliance verification at the network entity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for verifying user equipment compliance. For example, a method comprises computing, via user equipment, a secure identifier for the user equipment comprising an equipment identifier of the user equipment, and sending the secure identifier comprising the equipment identifier in a request message from the user equipment to a communication network to which the user equipment is attempting to connect. The communication network performs compliance verification for the user equipment based at least in part on the equipment identifier securely received from the user equipment.