METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELF CONFIGURATION OF LTE E-NODE Bs

• US 20080098467A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, James M., Wang, Peter S., Olvera-Hernandez, Ulises
• Granted Patent: US 8,977,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/304 due to measured or perceived resources with higher communication quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

The present invention is a procedure for a self configuring eNB/E-UTRAN. The eNB/E-UTRAN interacts with the Enhanced Packet Core (EPC) of the LTE network in order to complete the mutual authentication task between the eNB and the EPC and other operating procedures in the eNB self configuration phase.

Claims

1. A method implemented in a self configuring enhanced Node B (eNB) for accessing a serving access gateway (aGW) comprising:

broadcasting a serving aGW resolution request to a plurality of aGWs;

receiving from said plurality of aGWs one or more aGW resolution responses indicating whether said aGW is a serving aGW; and

selecting said eNB'"'"'s serving aGW in response to said aGW resolution responses.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said serving aGW resolution request includes one or more of an eNB-Id, a request type, and a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)-Id.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said aGW resolution response indicates whether said eNB PLMN-Id is the same as the respective aGW'"'"'s PLMN-Id.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said aGW resolution response includes one or more of an aGW-Id and PLMN-Id.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising authenticating said eNB.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said authenticating step comprises:

receiving an eNB authentication request including authentication parameters;

generating a response value (RES) using said received authentication parameters; and

transmitting said RES to said serving aGW.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving an eNB Auth Complete signal when said Res is correct.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said authentication parameters include a random number (RAND).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said authentication parameters further includes a MAC value.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

computing an expected MAC (XMAC); and

comparing said XMAC against said MAC value.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said serving aGW resolution request signal further includes an eNB-Location Id.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said eNB Location-Id is generated by a GPS measurement.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said eNB Location-Id is further included in said eNB Auth Request.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said authentication parameters are encoded using said RAND or using said eNB Location-Id.

15. A self configuring enhanced Node B (eNB) comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting a serving aGW resolution request to a plurality of access gateways (aGW) to connect to a serving aGW;

a receiver for receiving from said plurality of aGWs one or more aGW resolution responses indicating whether said aGW is a serving aGW; and

selecting the serving aGW in response to said aGW resolution response.

16. The eNB of claim 15, wherein said serving aGW resolution request includes one or more of an eNB-Id, a request type, and a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)-Id.

17. The eNB of claim 15, wherein said aGW resolution response indicates whether said eNB PLMN-Id is the same as the respective aGW'"'"'s PLMN-Id.

18. The eNB of claim 15, wherein said aGW resolution response includes one or more of an aGW-Id and PLMN-Id.

19. The eNB of claim 15 wherein said processor authenticates said eNB.

20. The eNB of claim 19, wherein:

said receiver receives an eNB authentication request including authentication parameters;

said processor generates a response value (RES) using said received authentication parameters; and

said transmitter transmits said RES to said serving aGW.

21. The eNB of claim 20, wherein said receiver further receives an eNB Auth Complete signal when said Res is correct.

22. The eNB of claim 20, wherein said authentication parameters include a validation number (RAND).

23. The eNB of claim 22, wherein said authentication parameters includes a MAC value.

24. The eNB of claim 20, wherein said processor:

computes an expected MAC (XMAC) and

compares said XMAC against said MAC values.

25. The eNB of claim 20, wherein said serving aGW resolution request signal further includes an eNB-Location Id.

26. The eNB of claim 15, wherein said eNB Location-Id is generated by a GPS measurement.

27. The eNB of claim 26, wherein said eNB Location-Id is further included in said eNB Auth Request.

28. The eNB of claim 27, wherein said authentication parameters are encoded using said RAND or using said eNB Location-Id.

29. A method for authenticating an enhanced Node B (eNB) comprising:

Transmitting a serving access gateway (aGW) resolution request to a serving aGW;

receiving an eNB authentication request including authentication parameters;

generating a response value (RES) using said received authentication parameters; and

transmitting said RES to said serving aGW.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising receiving an eNB Auth Complete signal when said Res is correct.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said authentication parameters include a validation number (RAND).

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said authentication parameters include a MAC value.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

computing an expected MAC (XMAC); and

comparing said XMAC against said MAC values.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein said serving aGW resolution request signal further includes a eNB-Location Id.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said eNB Location-Id is generated by a GPS measurement.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said eNB Location-Id is further included in said eNB Auth Request.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said authentication parameters are encoded using said RAND or using said eNB Location-Id.

38. A self configuring enhanced Node B (eNB) comprising:

receiving an eNB authentication request including authentication parameters; and

a processor for authenticating said eNB.

39. The eNB of claim 38, wherein said processor generates a response value (RES) using said received authentication parameters, said eNB further comprising as transmitter for transmitting said RES to said serving aGW.

40. The eNB of claim 38, wherein said receiver receives an eNB Auth Complete signal when said Res is correct.

41. The eNB of claim 38, wherein said authentication parameters include a validation number (RAND).

42. The eNB of claim 38, wherein said serving aGW resolution request signal further includes a eNB-Location Id.

43. The eNB of claim 42, wherein said eNB Location-Id is generated by a GPS measurement.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said eNB Location-Id is further included in said eNB Auth Request.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said authentication parameters are encoded using said RAND or using said eNB Location-Id.

46. In a self configuring enhanced Node B (eNB), a method for retrieving operating parameters to operate with system elements are not associated with said eNB'"'"'s serving aGW comprising:

transmitting a parameter request; and

receiving a parameter response including said operating parameters.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said system elements including one or more move of non-primary operators aGWs of said non-primary operators and other eNBs.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said parameter request includes the identities of the system elements to be retrieved.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein said parameter response includes interacting policies of said system elements.

50. A self configuring enhanced Node B (eNB) comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting parameter requests; and

a receiver for receiving a parameter response including said operating parameters.

51. The eNB of claim 50, wherein said system elements including one or more move of non-primary operators aGWs of said non-primary operators and other eNBs.

52. The eNB of claim 51, wherein said parameter request includes the identities of the system elements to be retrieved.

53. The eNB of claim 50, wherein said parameter response includes interacting policies of said system elements.