Authentication system for digital cellular communications

• US 5,091,942 A
• Filed: 07/23/1990
• Issued: 02/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Dent, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Application Number:
  US07/556,890
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 380/21, 380/23, 380/28, 380/43, 380/44, 380/46, 380/47, 380/48, 380/49, 380/50, 455/33, 375/110, 375/112, 375/107, 370/103, 370/105, 370/107, 379/59, 379/60
• US Class Current: 380/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/02 by adding a second signal to make the desired signal unintelligible
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication

Abstract

A system for the authentication of mobile stations and base stations in a cellular communications network. The system includes an algorithm which generates not only a key dependent response to a random challenge, but also a temporary conversation key or call variable which may be used to encipher traffic in the network. To protect against clones in the network, the algorithm uses a rolling key which contains historical information. A bilateral authentication procedure may be used to update the rolling key and to generate a new conversation key.

Claims

1. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system in which a mobile station is assigned a unique multi-digit permanent key and in which a changeable multi-digit rolling key is employed for increased security, both said permanent key and said rolling key being stored in said mobile station and the network of the mobile, said method comprising:

receiving at a location a plurality of multi-digit input signals, including, a signal representative of an authentication inquiry from the network along with the multi-digit permanent key of a particular mobile station and the multi-digit rolling key associated with said particular mobile at that particular time;

arranging at least some of the digits of said input signals in a first grouping;

calculating from said first grouping of input signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a first output value in accordance with a first algorithm; and

assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said first output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, an authentication response to be used by said mobile station to reply to the authentication inquiry by the network and an authentication signal to be used by the network to authenticate it to the mobile station.

2. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 1 in which:

the output parameters for use within said system to which said sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said first output value are assigned also includes a signal to be used to mask information transmitted by the mobile station.

3. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 1 in which:

said first algorithm comprises recursive executions of a code loop.

4. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 1 in which:

said input signals and said key digits are grouped into bytes and said first algorithm comprises a mixing process in which respective pairs of bytes of input signals and key digits are iteratively added to one another.

5. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 4 in which:

calculation in accordance with said first algorithm comprises grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key arranged in a first order by adding.

6. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 5 in which:

calculation in accordance with said first algorithm comprises grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key and said rolling key arranged in a first order by adding.

7. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 4 in which:

the value obtained from at least some additions is used to obtain a number from a fixed look-up table having a 1;

1 mapping between its input and its output.

8. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 7 in which:

said fixed look-up table is also used to obtain numbers for use in an algorithm for generating a pseudo-random keystream for enciphering communications data within said system.

9. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 1 which also includes:

arranging the digits of said input signals in a second grouping;

calculating from said second grouping of input signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a second output value in accordance with a second algorithm; and

assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, a new rolling key to be associated with the particular mobile at a next particular time.

10. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communications in a communications system as set forth in claim 9 in which said step of assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system also includes a security key to be used to calculate a keystream of pseudo-random bits for enciphering communications data within the system.

11. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communications in a communications system as set forth in claim 9 in which:

said first and second algorithms comprise recursive executions of a code loop.

12. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 9 in which:

said input signals and said key digits are grouped into bytes and said first and second algorithms comprise a mixing process in which respective pairs of bytes of input signals and key digits are iteratively added to one another.

13. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 9 in which:

calculation in accordance with said second algorithm comprises grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key arranged in a second order, different from said first order, by adding.

14. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 13 in which:

calculation in accordance with said second algorithm comprises grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key and said rolling key arranged in a second order, different from said first order, by adding.

15. A method for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 1 in which:

said method is executed under the control of the home exchange of said mobile station.

25. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 10 which also includes:

means for arranging the digits of said input signals in a second grouping;

means for calculating from said second grouping of input signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a second output value in accordance with a second algorithm; and

means for assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, a new rolling key to be associated with the particular mobile at a next particular time.

26. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communications in a communications system as set forth in claim 25 in which said means for assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system also includes a security key to be used to calculate a keystream of pseudo-random bits for enciphering communications data within the system.

27. A system for the generating of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 25 in which:

said first and second algorithms comprise recursive executions of a code loop.

28. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 25 in which:

said input signals and said key digits are grouped into bytes and said first and second algorithms comprise a mixing process in which respective pairs of bytes of input signals and key digits are iteratively added to one another.

16. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system in which a mobile station is assigned a unique multi-digit secret permanent key and in which a changeable multi-digit rolling key is employed for increased security, both said permanent key and said rolling key being stored in each mobile station and the network of the mobile, said method comprising:

means for receiving at a location a plurality of multi-digit input signals, including, a signal representative of an authentication inquiry from the network along with the multi-digit permanent key of said particular mobile station, and the multi-digit rolling key associated with said particular mobile at that particular time;

means for arranging the digits of said input signals in a first grouping;

means for calculating from said first grouping of input, signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a first output value in accordance with a first algorithm; and

means for assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said first output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, an authentication response to be used by said mobile station to reply to the authentication inquiry by the network and an authentication signal to be used by the network to authenticate it to the mobile station.

17. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 16 in which:

the output parameters for use within said system to which said sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising said first output value are assigned also includes a signal to be used to mask information transmitted by the mobile station.

18. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 16 in which:

said first algorithm comprises recursive executions of a code loop.

19. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 16 in which:

said input signals and said key digits are grouped into bytes and said first algorithm comprises a mixing process in which respective pairs of bytes of input signals and key digits are iteratively added to one another.

20. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 19 in which:

said means for calculation in accordance with said first algorithm comprises means for grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key arranged in a first order by adding.

21. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 20 in which:

said means for calculation in accordance with said first algorithm comprises means for grouping a sequence of bytes including at least some of said input signals and said rolling key digits and then mixing respective bytes thereof with bytes of said permanent key and said rolling key arranged in a first order by adding.

22. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 19 in which:

the value obtained from at least some additions is used to obtain a number from a fixed look-up table having a 1;

1 mapping between its input and its output.

23. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 22 in which:

said fixed look-up table is also used to obtain numbers for use in an algorithm for generating a pseudo-random keystream for enciphering communications data within said system.

24. A system for the generation of parameters for use in enhancing the security of communication in a communications system as set forth in claim 16 which also includes:

means for implementing said system under the control of the home exchange of said mobile station.

29. A method for the generation of parameters for use in authenticating access in a communication system in which a mobile station is assigned a unique multi-digit permanent key and in which a changeable multi-digit rolling key is employed for increased security, both said permanent key and said rolling key being stored in said mobile station and in the network with which the mobile is to communicate, said method comprising:

providing a plurality of multi-digit input signals, including, a signal representative of an authentication inquiry from the network along with the multi-digit permanent key of said particular mobile station and the multi-digit rolling key associated with said particular mobile at that particular time;

arranging at least some of the digits of said input signals in a first grouping;

calculating from said first grouping of input signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a first output value in accordance with a first algorithm; and

assigning sequentially arranged groups of digits comprising at least part of said first output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, an authentication response to be used by said mobile station to reply to the authentication inquiry by the network.

30. A method for the generation of parameters for use in authenticating access in a digital communications system as set forth in claim 29, in which said step of assigning sequentially arranged groups of digits comprising at least part of said first output value to selected parameters for use within said system also include an authentication signal to be used by the network to authenticate it to the mobile station.

31. A method for the generation of parameters for use in authenticating access in a communications system as set forth in claim 29, which also includes:

arranging the digits of said input signals in a second grouping;

calculating from said second grouping of input signals and said permanent and rolling key digits a second output value in accordance with a second algorithm; and

assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising at least part of said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system, including, a security key to be used to calculating a keystream of pseudo-random bits for enciphering communications data within the system.

32. A method for the generation of parameters for use in authenticating access in a communications system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of assigning sequentially arranged blocks of digits comprising at least part of said second output value to selected parameters for use within said system also include a new rolling key to be associated with the particular mobile at a next particular time.