Apparatus, system and method for dual connectivity

Abstract

An SeNB (30) informs an MeNB (20) that it can configure bearers for the given UE (10). At this time, the MeNB (20) manages the DRB status, and then sends a key S-KeNB to the SeNB (30). The MeNB (20) also sends a KSI for the S-KeNB to both of the UE (10) and the SeNB (30). After this procedure, the MeNB (20) informs an EPC (MME (40) and S-GW (50)) about the new bearer configured at the SeNB (30), such that the S-GW 50 can start offloading the bearer(s) to the SeNB 30. Prior to the offloading, the EPC network entity (MME (40) or S-GW (50)) performs verification that: 1) whether the request is coming from authenticated source (MeNB); and 2) whether the SeNB (30) is a valid eNB to which the traffic can be offload.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Master Node (MN) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include a User Equipment (UE), the MN and a Secondary Node (SN), the MN comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:   receive, from the SN, a first message related to addition or modification procedure of the SN;   send, to the SN, a second message including a key of the SN and first information related to encryption in the UE; and   send, to the UE, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including second information related to encryption in the SN, to cause the UE to derive an encryption key.   
     
     
         2 . A Secondary Node (SN) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include a User Equipment (UE), a Master Node (MN) and the SN, the SN comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:   send, to the MN, a first message related to addition or modification procedure of the SN;   receive, from the MN, a second message including a key of the SN and information related to encryption in the UE; and   derive an encryption key.   
     
     
         3 . A User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include the UE, a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary Node (SN), the UE comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:   receive, from the MN, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including information related to encryption in the SN, on receipt of a message at the MN, the message being related to addition or modification procedure of the SN; and   derive an encryption key.   
     
     
         4 . A method of a Master Node (MN) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include a User Equipment (UE), the MN and a Secondary Node (SN), the method comprising:
 receiving, from the SN, a first message related to addition or modification procedure of the SN;   sending, to the SN, a second message including a key of the SN and first information related to encryption in the UE; and   sending, to the UE, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including second information related to encryption in the SN, to cause the UE to derive an encryption key.   
     
     
         5 . A method of a Secondary Node (SN) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include a User Equipment (UE), a Master Node (MN) and the SN, the method comprising:
 sending, to the MN, a first message related to addition or modification procedure of the SN;   receiving, from the MN, a second message including a key of the SN and information related to encryption in the UE; and   deriving an encryption key.   
     
     
         6 . A method of a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system for dual connectivity (DC), the mobile communication system configured to include the UE, a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary Node (SN), the method comprising:
 receiving, from the MN, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including information related to encryption in the SN, on receipt of a message at the MN, the message being related to addition or modification procedure of the SN; and   deriving an encryption key.