Layer-2 UE Relay Identity Updates for Privacy-Preserving Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in ensuring privacy and security in Layer-2 UE-to-network relay operations, particularly in managing the privacy of user equipment (UE) identities and maintaining secure communication links.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a privacy handling mechanism in Layer-2 UE-to-network relay operations that includes procedures for updating and managing UE identities, using secure key hierarchies and link identifiers to ensure secure communication between relay WTRUs and network entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UE identities are transmitted in clear text for relay operations, then communication efficiency is improved, but privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption mechanism where UE identities are transformed into encrypted identifiers before transmission. The relay WTRU and network entities use secure key hierarchies and derived keys to decrypt and process these identifiers, enabling efficient relay operations while protecting original UE identities from exposure in clear text communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms UE identity parameters by applying encryption algorithms and key derivation functions. Original UE identities are converted into encrypted identifier forms that maintain the functionality needed for relay operations (routing, addressing) while changing their representational state to protected forms that cannot be easily reverse-engineered or tracked.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If secure key hierarchies and encrypted identifiers are implemented, then privacy and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes secure key hierarchies and encryption mechanisms in advance, during initial network attachment or relay setup phases. Keys are pre-derived and stored securely before actual relay operations begin, eliminating the need for complex real-time key generation and management during data transmission, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining security.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UE identities are updated frequently to maintain privacy, then security is improved, but loss of time and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic identity update mechanisms triggered by timers or specific events rather than continuous updates. UE identities are refreshed at predetermined intervals or when specific privacy thresholds are reached, balancing the need for privacy protection against the overhead of frequent updates. This periodic approach maintains security while minimizing time loss and communication overhead compared to continuous identity changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) is configured to communicate with a network and a remote WTRU and receives a link identifier update (LIU) request message including a new remote WTRU L2 ID and a new MSB of a new security identifier (ID). The relay WTRU generates a new relay WTRU L2 ID and a new LSB of the new security ID. The relay WTRU transmits to the network a request for a new remote WTRU ID and receives the new remote WTRU ID which is associated with the new L2 IDs. The relay WTRU transmits the new remote WTRU ID to the remote WTRU and a LIU response message. The relay WTRU receives an acknowledgement message. Thereafter, the new Remote WTRU ID is used for communication between the remote WTRU, the relay WTRU and the gNB.