Generation of multiple shared keys by user equipment and base station using key expansion multiplier

摘要

In one embodiment, multiple keys are generated in user equipment of a communication system based at least in part on a designated key expansion multiplier. A key identifier is received in the user equipment from a base station of the communication system. The user equipment selects a particular one of the keys as a function of the received key identifier, and utilizes the selected one of the keys to secure data sent from the user equipment to the base station. For example, the keys may comprise respective portions of a key stream generated by the user equipment responsive to a message received from the base station, with the keys being shared by the user equipment and the base station through independent generation of the key stream in the base station. The base station may illustratively comprise an evolved Node B (eNB) of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).

主权项

1. A method comprising:
generating in user equipment of a communication system a first instance of a key stream comprising a plurality of keys with the length of the key stream being determined based at least in part on a designated key expansion multiplier that is also utilized in a base station of the communication system to generate a second instance of the key stream comprising the plurality of keys; receiving a key identifier in the user equipment from the base station of the communication system, the key identifier comprising a key index into the first and second key stream instances generated by the user equipment and the base station, respectively; selecting in the user equipment a particular one of the keys as a function of the received key identifier; and utilizing the selected one of the keys to secure data sent from the user equipment to the base station.