UE Handover PDCP Processing for Security Key Updates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In next-generation mobile communication systems, when a security key needs to be updated for UE handover, existing methods require discarding all data units and creating new ones, leading to increased data processing complexity, while not updating the key results in inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method distinguishes between cases where the security key needs to be updated and where it does not, implementing different data processing operations for each bearer to reduce complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security key is updated during handover, then security is improved, but data processing complexity increases due to discarding all data units and creating new ones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating data processing operations based on bearer type. For data radio bearers (DRBs), the UE performs PDCP re-establishment when security key is updated, while for signaling radio bearers (SRBs), it performs RRC connection reconfiguration. This localized differentiation reduces unnecessary data processing complexity while maintaining security updates where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the handover data processing into distinct procedures based on bearer type. It separates DRB handling (requiring PDCP re-establishment and data unit recreation) from SRB handling (using RRC reconfiguration). This segmentation allows the system to apply security updates only where necessary, reducing overall data processing complexity.
2Device complexity
If security key is not updated during handover, then data processing complexity is reduced, but security efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively updating security keys based on bearer type and handover conditions. For DRBs, security key updates are performed with full PDCP re-establishment, while for SRBs, updates are handled through lighter RRC reconfiguration. This ensures security efficiency is maintained where critical while reducing unnecessary updates elsewhere.
3Reliability
If all data units are discarded and recreated for each bearer, then security is maintained, but productivity decreases due to increased processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating data processing operations based on bearer type. For data radio bearers (DRBs), the UE performs PDCP re-establishment when security key is updated, while for signaling radio bearers (SRBs), it performs RRC connection reconfiguration. This localized differentiation reduces unnecessary data processing complexity while maintaining security updates where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing complete PDCP re-establishment only for DRBs when security key updates are required, while using lighter RRC reconfiguration for SRBs. This partial application of the full re-establishment procedure maintains security where critical while avoiding excessive processing overhead for other bearers.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
A method of performing communication, by a user equipment (UE), in a wireless communication system, the method including receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including a handover command, identifying whether a security key is updated based on the RRC message, and performing a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) process based on a bearer type and a result of the identification.