Wireless Security Key Generation Using Third-Node Channel Estimation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in ensuring secure data transmission due to the limitations of classical cryptography, particularly for IoT devices with limited resources, and the feasibility of channel prediction by eavesdroppers using machine learning algorithms.

Innovation Solution

A secret key establishment scheme is provided that exploits channel measurements between wireless nodes to generate physical layer security (PLS) encryption keys, using channel estimation information and reference signals for secure data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If channel measurements are performed between wireless nodes for key generation, then security is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third wireless node as an intermediary to facilitate channel measurements for security key generation between first and second wireless nodes. This mediator enables secure communication without requiring direct complex interactions between the communicating nodes, thereby improving security while managing system complexity through a coordinated three-node architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If channel estimation information is collected from third wireless node, then key generation security is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey generation securityVSAvoidchannel measurement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the third wireless node provides channel estimation information back to the first wireless node after performing measurements. This feedback loop enables secure key generation by utilizing the channel characteristics measured from the third node, while the feedback mechanism itself manages the complexity of information collection and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple wireless nodes are involved in channel measurements, then security against eavesdropping is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against eavesdroppingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic channel measurements and key generation operations rather than continuous operations. The third wireless node performs measurements at specific intervals when needed for security key generation, thereby improving security against eavesdropping while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4038825B1Security key generation in wireless networks
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4038825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038825B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising, transmitting to a second wireless node timing information for security key adoption and information indicative of a third wireless node, transmitting to the third wireless node a message to estimate a channel between the second wireless node and the third wireless node, the message to estimate the channel comprising information indicative of the second wireless node and channel measurement resource information associated with the second wireless node, obtaining a security key generated on the basis of channel estimation information based on estimation of the channel by the third wireless node, and applying the security key for encrypted data transmission between the first wireless node and the second wireless node.