SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROUP KEY DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

摘要

A novel group key distribution and management scheme for broadcast message security is provided that allows an access terminal to send a single copy of a broadcast message encrypted with a group key. Access nodes that are members of an active set of access nodes for the access terminal may decrypt and understand the message. The group key is generated and distributed by the access terminal to the access nodes in its active set using temporary unicast keys to secure the group key during distribution. A new group key is provided every time an access node is removed from the active set of access nodes for the access terminal.