UE Identifier Rotation for Anonymous Cellular Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional mobile communication systems, user equipment (UE) identifiers are vulnerable to interception, compromising anonymity and security, especially in environments where safety and privacy are critical, such as military conflict zones, as they are often hard-coded and require physical replacement for changes.
Innovation Solution
UE employs multiple identifiers, cycling through them for each communication request and utilizing diversion messages to confuse eavesdroppers, along with establishing and terminating communication links based on connection policies to reduce exposure and enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE uses a single hard-coded identifier for communication, then authentication and network access are simplified, but the identifier becomes vulnerable to interception and tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic identifier selection where the UE cycles through multiple identifiers from a pool rather than using a single static identifier. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliable authentication while reducing interception vulnerability, as the identifier changes over time and across different communication sessions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of identifier variability by introducing multiple identifiers with different characteristics (e.g., temporary vs. permanent, high-security vs. low-security). The UE can select appropriate identifiers based on communication context, balancing authentication reliability with security against interception
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UE frequently changes identifiers to enhance security, then anonymity and anti-tracking are improved, but communication complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-populating the UE with a pool of identifiers before communication begins. This allows the UE to quickly select from pre-prepared identifiers without complex real-time generation or management, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security through frequent identifier changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic identifier cycling where the UE systematically rotates through identifiers in the pool at predetermined intervals or after certain communication events. This periodic approach provides regular security refreshes without requiring complex on-demand identifier management
3Productivity
If UE establishes multiple communication links for load balancing, then communication reliability and throughput are improved, but the risk of identifier exposure and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier pool into different categories or pools associated with different communication links or access points. Each communication link can use identifiers from a specific segment, allowing load balancing across multiple links while isolating identifier exposure risks to individual segments rather than exposing all identifiers across all links
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device can select an identifier from a set of identifiers stored by the mobile device. The mobile device can communicate a request for a communication link with a communication system, and the request for the communication link can include the identifier. The communication link can be established based on the identifier. The mobile device can select a second identifier from the set of identifiers. The mobile device can communicate a second request for a second communication link with the communication system, and the second request can include the second identifier. The second communication link can be established based on the second identifier.