UE Link Re-Establishment Using MAC Authentication for Faster RAN Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing link re-establishment process between user equipment (UE) and the radio access network (RAN) in NB-IoT devices is inefficient, leading to prolonged connection times, increased power consumption, and potential data packet loss due to complex signaling interactions and radio link failures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving UE generating a MAC based on a NAS integrity key and sending a re-establishment request to a target RAN, which verifies the MAC through a CP functional entity, allowing direct context transfer without a tracking area update (TAU) procedure, thereby reducing signaling complexity and connection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE uses the traditional TAU procedure to re-establish connection after radio link failure, then network security authentication is performed, but the connection re-establishment time is excessively long and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple MAC generation parameters (first MAC generation parameter, second MAC generation parameter, third MAC generation parameter) before connection re-establishment is needed. When radio link failure occurs, the UE can immediately use the pre-prepared parameters to generate MAC values without waiting for network signaling, thus performing security authentication much faster while maintaining the same security level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional single MAC verification process into multiple parallel verification paths using different MAC generation parameters. Instead of one sequential authentication step, the system prepares multiple authentication credentials in advance, allowing the UE to present appropriate MAC values based on the specific re-establishment scenario, reducing the overall authentication time.
2Reliability
If the UE follows the complex signaling interaction procedure for connection re-establishment, then proper authentication and context transfer are ensured, but the signaling complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple MAC generation parameters (first MAC generation parameter, second MAC generation parameter, third MAC generation parameter) before connection re-establishment is needed. When radio link failure occurs, the UE can immediately use the pre-prepared parameters to generate MAC values without waiting for network signaling, thus performing security authentication much faster while maintaining the same security level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously generate MAC values using pre-stored parameters and local algorithms without requiring extensive back-and-forth signaling with the network. The UE can independently complete the authentication process by presenting the appropriately selected MAC value, significantly reducing signaling complexity while ensuring proper authentication.
3Speed
If the UE directly disconnects from source RAN to connect to target RAN, then the UE can access a stronger signal, but data packet loss occurs affecting service continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a mechanism where the target RAN verifies the MAC value sent by the UE and provides feedback about the verification result. Based on this feedback, the network can confirm whether the UE context has been properly transferred and whether the re-establishment was successful, allowing for error detection and correction that prevents data packet loss during the handover process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the MAC verification process as an intermediary mechanism to ensure proper context transfer between source and target RAN. The MAC value acts as a mediator that carries authentication information and context validation data, ensuring that the UE's data session is properly maintained during the transition from source to target RAN, thus preventing data packet loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A link re-establishment method, an apparatus, and a system are described. The method includes: obtaining, by user equipment UE, a MAC of the UE based on a NAS integrity key and a first MAC generation parameter, where the first MAC generation parameter includes an identifier of the UE; sending, by the UE, a re-establishment request message to a target RAN, where the re-establishment request message includes the MAC and the first MAC generation parameter; and receiving, by the UE, a re-establishment response message of the target RAN. The UE triggers, by sending the re-establishment request message, a CP functional entity to perform authentication on the UE. The method and apparatus of the present disclosure address a problem that an excessively long time is consumed to re-establish a connection to a target RAN by using an RAU procedure, increases a speed of re-establishing a connection between UE and a network, and improves user experience.