IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,729,613
Granted Patent B2
US 11,729,613 · App. 17/515,631 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Apparatus, system and method for SCE

Inventors: Xiaowei Zhang (Tokyo, JP); Anand Raghawa Prasad (Tokyo, JP)
H04W12/04H04W12/0431H04W12/08H04L2463/061H04W84/045
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,729,613
App. No.
17/515,631
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

In order for supporting separate ciphering at an MeNB ( 20 ) and an SeNB ( 30 ), the MeNB ( 20 ) derives separate first and second keys (KUPenc-M, KUPenc-S) from a third key (KeNB). The first key (KUPenc-M) is used for confidentially protecting first traffic transmitted over U-Plane between the MeNB ( 20 ) and a UE ( 10 ). The first key (KUPenc-M) may be the same as current KUPenc or a new key. The second key (KUPenc-S) is used for confidentially protecting second traffic transmitted over the U-Plane between the UE ( 10 ) and the SeNB ( 30 ). The MeNB ( 20 ) sends the second key (KUPenc-S) to the SeNB ( 30 ). The UE ( 10 ) negotiates with the MeNB ( 20 ), and derives the second key (KUPenc-S) based on a result of the negotiation.

Claims (14)

1. A method of a base station for dual connectivity, the method comprising:

receiving, from another base station, a first key; and

deriving a user plane (UP) key for protecting traffic between the base station and a user equipment (UE), the base station also obtaining a second key based on the first key.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base station is a secondary node and the another base station is a master node.

3. A base station for dual connectivity, the base station comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the at least one processor to:

receive a first key from another base station; and

derive a user plane (UP) key for protecting traffic between the base station and a user equipment (UE), the base station also obtaining a second key based on the first key.

4. The base station according to claim 3 , wherein the base station is a secondary node and the another base station is a master node.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

protecting the traffic between the base station and the UE by using the UP key.

6. The base station according to claim 3 , wherein, upon execution of the instructions, the at least one processor is further caused to:

protecting the traffic between the base station and the UE by using the UP key.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2025
From: NEC CORPORATION
To: VTECT IP INC.
Reel/Frame 072995/0600 →