GB2500398A

GB2500398A - Reconfiguring the radio bearer ciphering error detection and configuration mode used by a UE through a predetermined parameter in a RRC message.

Info

Publication number: GB2500398A
Application number: GB1204814.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keiichi Kubota; Brian Alexander Martin
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corp
Current assignee: Renesas Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2012-03-18
Filing date: 2012-03-18
Publication date: 2013-09-25
Also published as: GB201204814D0

Abstract

A radio resource control RRC message is received at a user equipment UE. In response to determining that the received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, the user equipment is configured into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode. At least one radio link control service data unit is received at the user equipment and the at least one radio link control service data unit is processed according to the configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode. If the RRC message does not contain the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery parameter then the data is processed according to a different ciphering error detection and recovery mode. The first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter may have a first or a second predetermined value.

Description

Error Detection

Technical Field

The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, computer program products and computer software for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network.

Background

In UMTS, IMS voice is normally served by the UM RLC bearer. The RLC transmitter ciphers user data, referred to as PDU, transmits it to the receiving RLC, which deciphers the PDU. If the receiving RLC fails to receive 127 consecutive RLC PDUs after the transmitter has sent 127 consecutive RLC PDUs, the receiving RLC will not increment its HFN value of COUNT-C, which results in a desynchronization of COUNT-C values between the RLC transmitter and the receiving RLC. This is referred to as a "security desynchronization" problem.

Two solutions have been proposed to address this problem, and both involve providing a mechanism that can be used to identiI' an error and subsequently reporting to the transmitter when an error has been detected.

A first solution is UM RLC ciphering error detection, where a receiving RLC checks if the LI field indicates a valid value, and if the receiving RLC detects invalid LI N times consecutively, then it detects an RLC unrecoverable error and reports the error to a RRC entity. The value N comprises a positive integer, for example 2.

An advantage of the UM RLC based solution is that the network does not need to configure a PDCP entity. A problem with the UM RLC based solution is that the NW may not send LIs with each and every UM RLC PDU and an alternative E-bit interpretation may lead to there not being any LI information in the UM RLC header.

The network will therefore be forced to send the LI which will result in an overhead of 8 bits per PDU, which is the same overhead as the PDCP based solution. A further problem with the UM RLC based solution is that even if the LI is present in each PDU, there is a problem that the receiver RLC cannot always detect a ciphering error even when COUNT-C values are desynchronised between UE and NW because an incorrectly ciphered LI could indicate a valid value. This is because the LI can be considered "invalid" only when the LI indicates one of the reserved values or indicates a longer PDU size than the received RLC PDU (e.g. for the case that the received LI indicates 80 octet when the received RLC PDU size is 240 bits). In contrast, the PDCP header has only one valid value for PDU type field and PID field so the error detection performance of the PDCP based solution would tend to be better than the UM RLC based solution. A still further problem with the UM RLC based solution is that there is no UE capability, so the RNC is not sure whether a UE supports UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery or not when the RNC receives a cell update message, so the RNC is not sure whether it can re-establish the IMS voice RB or not.

A second solution is PDCP ciphering error detection, where a receiving PDCP entity checks if the PDCP header fields (i.e. PDCP PDU type field and PID field) indicate valid values, and if the receiving PDCP entity detects invalid PDCP header field N times consecutively, then it detects a PDCP unrecoverable error and reports the error to a RRC entity. The value N comprises a positive integer, for example 2.

This detection is performed on the basis of an "expected value" of the PDCP header.

An advantage of the PDCP based solution is that the solution has already been used for a CS voice over HSPA service and so vendors can re-use the existing implementation. However, a problem with the PDCP solution is that operators may not want to configure a PDCP entity for IMS voice. Further, in the event that a UM RLC receiver receives an RLC PDU with an invalid LI, the receiver cannot reassemble the data into one PDCP PDU; as a result, the receiver cannot send a PDCP PDU to the PDCP entity in the network.

For CSoHSPA, current 3GPP specifications specify that a UE automatically configures PDCP ciphering error detection at the PDCP layer.

In 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #77, Dresden, Germany, 6th -10th Feb 2012, (documented as R2-120332), UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery for IMS voice was discussed. Introduction of a new UE capability for UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery for IMS voice was proposed. It was also proposed that RRC messages should be updated to explicitly configure UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery for IMS voice RB.

There is therefore a need to provide improved ways of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a user equipment: receiving a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detcction and recovery configuration parameter, configuring said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receiving at least one radio link control service data unit; and processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a processing system adapted to, at a user equipment: receive a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configure said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receive at least one radio link control service data unit; and process said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a user equipment: receiving a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configuring said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receiving at least one radio link control service data unit; and processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer software adapted to perform the method of the first aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a network entity: determining whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmitting said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmitting at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a processing adapted to, at a network entity: determine whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmit said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmit at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a network entity: determining whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmitting said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmitting at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In accordance with a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer software adapted to perform the method of the fifth aspect of the present invention.

Embodiments comprise apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising, at a user equipment: means for receiving a radio resource control message; means for in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configuring said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; means for receiving at least one radio link control service data unit; and means for processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Embodiments comprise apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a processing adapted to, at a network entity: means for determining whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; means for transmitting said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and means for transmitting at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the ease of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a system diagram according to embodiments; Figure 2 shows a flow diagram according to embodiments; Figure 3 shows a schematic of an RLC PDU according to embodiments; Figure 4 shows a flow diagram according to embodiments; Figure 5 shows a system diagram according to embodiments; Figure 6 shows a flow chart according to embodiments; Figure 7 shows a flow chart according to embodiments; Figure 8 shows a flow chart according to embodiments; Figure 9 shows a flow chart according to embodiments; Figure 10 shows a flow chart according to embodiments; and Figure 11 shows a flow chart according to embodiments.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a system diagram of a telecommunications network I for enabling ciphering error and detection according to embodiments.

Telecommunications network 1 comprises a network entity 100 and a user equipment connected by a wireless network 120.

Network entity (or network node') 100 comprises a memory 102, a processor 106, an RRC entity 103, an RLC entity 108 and a PDCP entity 109. Radio link control entity 108 comprises a transmitter part 1 08a and a receiver part 1 08b. PDCP entity 109 comprises a transmitter part I 09a and a receiver part 1 09b. In embodiments, network entity 100 comprises a RNC.

In Figure 1, network entity 100 comprises a single processor 106 which is depicted as a separate entity to RRC entity 103, RLC entity 108 and PDCP entity 109.

Processor 106 may comprise a processing system of one or more processors. In other embodiments, network entity 100 comprises one or more further processors (not shown), for example a processor in RLC entity 108 andlor a processor PDCP entity 109. Various data processing actions of embodiments described below are described as being carried out by processor 106, but it should be understood that such actions could be carried out by one or more other processors, for example in RRC entity 103, RLC entity 108 and PDCP entity 109 or any combination thereof 1 5 In Figure 1, PDCP entity 109 is depicted as a separate entity to RLC entity 108. In other embodiments, PDCP entity 109 is located within RLC entity 108.

UB 110 comprises a memory 112, an RRC entity 113, a processor 116, an RLC entity 118 and a PDCP entity 119. RLC entity 118 comprises a transmitter part 118a and a receiver part 118b. PDCP entity 119 comprises a transmitter part 119a andareceiver part 119b.

In Figure 1, liE 110 comprises a single processor 116 which is depicted as a separate entity to RRC entity 113, RLC entity 118 and PDCP entity 119. Processor 116 may comprise a processing system of one or more processors. In other embodiments, UE 100 comprises one or more further processors, for example a processor in RLC entity 11 8 and/or a processor PDCP entity 119. Various data processing actions of embodiments described below are described as being carried out by processor 116, but it should be understood that such actions could be carried out by one or more other processors, for example in RRC entity 113, RLC entity 118 and PDCP entity 119 or any combination thereof In Figure 1, PDCP entity 119 is depicted as a separate entity to RLC entity 118. In other embodiments, PDCP entity 119 is located within RLC entity 118.

In embodiments, network 120 comprises one or more wireless or wireline networks, such as a cellular telephone network or public land mobile network (for example adapted to operate according to one or more 3GPP standards), andlor the Internet, etc. Network entity 100 is adapted to communicate data to/from UE 110 via wireless network 120. In embodiments, wireless network 120 comprises one or more NodeBs (not shown) In embodiments, network entity 100 and UE 110 comprise one or more communication interfaces (not shown) for facilitating such communication via wireless network 120. In embodiments, such communication interfaces comprise one or more antennas, transmitters, receivers. In embodiments, RLC entity 108 andlor PDCP entity 109 are comprised in a communication interface of network entity 100.

In embodiments, RLC entity 118 and/or PDCP entity 119 are comprised in a communication interface of UE 110.

In embodiments, PDCP Tx entity 1 09a of network entity 100 receives downlink data (e.g. voice data) from core network 140 of telecommunications network 1. In embodiments, core network 140 comprises one or more SGCSN, GGSN, MMEs, P-GWs, S-GWs, and/or the Internet (not shown). PDCP Tx entity I 09a packages PDCP PDLJs into one or more RLC SDUs and passes these to RLC Tx entity 108a. RLC Tx entity 108a converts the RLC SDUs into RLC PDUs and the RLC PDUs are transmitted into wireless network 120. Note that if one RLC SDU cannot be fitted into one RLC PDU, then the RLC SDU is segmented into more than one RLC PDU for transmission into wireless network 120 (i.e. an RLC SDU is not always segmented). A reverse process, which will be clear to one skilled in the art, occurs for uplink data received at network entity 100 from wireless network 120.

Core network 140 can be referred to as an upper layer part of telecommunications network 1 and wireless network 140 can be referred to as a lower layer part of telecommunications network 1.

For CSoHSPA, current 3GPP specifications specify that a liE automatically configures PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery at the PDCP layer.

Embodiments introduce a new IE, which facilitates configuration of UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery, even for a CSoHSPA service. Further, for a IMS voice service, the new JR indicates whether a UM RLC based ciphering error detection and recovery mode is configured or whether a PDCP based ciphering error detection and recovery mode is configured.

In order to provide the NW with the capability to configure UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery instead of PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery for a circuit-switched service such as CSoHSPA service, and also provide the NW with the capability to configure UM RLC ciphering error detection for a packet-switched service such as IMS voice service, embodiments introduce a new IE in the form of a new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter which indicates which ciphering error detection mechanism should be used for the corresponding radio bearer (or radio access bearer).

Embodiments allow network operators which prefer to re-use PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery for IMS voice to do so. Embodiments also allow other network operators which prefer to employ UM RLC based ciphering error detection and recovery to do so.

Embodiments enable a more reliable ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism, such as UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism, to be used for any service, for example according to the preference of a network vendor or network operator. Further, a legacy ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism, such as a PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism, can still be utilized even after a new ciphering detection scheme, such as a UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism, is introduced in 3GPP.

In embodiments, if the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is present, then UM RLC ciphering error detection is configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity. If the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is absent, then UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery is not configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity, which is associated with the PS domain (for example an IMS voice service), or PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery is configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity, which is associated with the CS domain (for example a CSoHSPA service).

In embodiments, if the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter indicates a predetermined value (for example 1'), then UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery is configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity. If the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter indicates another predetermined value (for example 0'), then UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery is not configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity, which is associated with the PS domain (for example an IMS voice service), or PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery is configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity, which is associated with the CS domain (for example a CSoHSPA service).

In embodiments, if the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter indicates a predetermined value (for example 1'), then UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery is configured for the corresponding RB's receiving RLC entity. If the new radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter indicates another predetermined value (for example 0'), then PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery is configured for the corresponding RB's PDCP entity. In embodiments, a further predetermined value could be used for a further ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism (other than UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery and PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery).

Embodiments which enable ciphering error detection and recovery in telecommunications network I are now described in relation to Figure 1.

Processor 106 of network entity 100 determines whether to instruct RRC entity 103 to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter. In embodiments, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is stored in memory 102 and retrieved from memory as and when required.

The inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct a UE, such as UE 110, in telecommunications network I to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Processor 106 then facilitates transmittal of the radio resource control message to UF 110, via network 120, for example by controlling and/or instructing RLC Tx 108a accordingly.

Processor 106 then facilitates transmittal of at least one radio link control service data unit to UB 110, via network 120, for example by controlling andlor instructing RLC Tx lo8aaceordingly.

As a result of transmittal of the radio resource control message and at least one radio link control service data unit to UE 11 0, in the case of the determination being positive, UB 110 is instructed to configure the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

As a result of transmittal of the radio resource control message and at least one radio link control service data unit to UE 110, in the case of the determination being negative, UB 110 processes the at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Upon receipt of the radio resource control message transmitted from network entity 100 at user equipment 110, processor 116 (possibly in conjunction with RRC entity 113) determines whether the received radio resource control message comprises the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection arid recovery configuration parameter.

In embodiments, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is stored in memory 112 and retrieved from memory 112 as and when required by processor 116.

In response to processor 116 determining that the radio resource control message received from network entity 100 does comprise the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, processor 116 configures UE 110 into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, for example by instructing RLC entity 118 to configure itself into the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Due to UE 110 being configured in the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, when UE 110 receives the at least one radio link control service data unit transmitted from network entity 100, processor 116 processes (possibly in conjunction with RLC entity 118) the at least one received radio link control service data unit according to the configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In embodiments, the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode comprises an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode. In embodiments, the processing of the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out by an unacknowledged mode radio link control entity in UE 110, such as RLC entity 118 or an unacknowledged mode part thereof.

In embodiments, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter inserted by processor 106 of network entity 100 is operable to instruct a user equipment to configure receiver and transmitter parts of the user equipment into the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In embodiments, the configuring of UE 110 comprises configuring receiver and transmitter parts of UE 110, such as RLC Tx 1 18a and RLC Rx 1 18b, into the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In response to processor 116 determining that the radio resource control message received from network entity 100 does not comprise the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, processor 116 processes (possibly in conjunction with RLC entity 118 and/or PDCP entity 119) the at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In embodiments, the processor 116 is configured by default to process received radio link control service data units according to the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode. Therefore unless UR 110 receives a radio resource control message from network entity 100 which comprises the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, received radio link control service data units will be processed by UE 110 according to the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In embodiments, the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode comprises a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode. In embodiments, the processing of the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out by a packet data convergence protocol entity in UE 110, such as PDCP entity 119.

In some embodiments, the determination is negative, i.e. processor 106 of network entity 100 determines not to insert a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter into the radio resource control message. In embodiments, processor 106, prior to transmittal of the radio resource control message to UE 110, inserts into the radio resource control message, a second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter. The inserted second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct a user equipment in the network, such as UE 110, to configure a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Processor 106 then facilitates transmittal of the radio resource control message containing the second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter to UE 110, via network 120 and also transmittal of the at least one radio link control service data unit to UE 110, via network 120.

As a result of transmittal of the radio resource control message containing the second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter and the at least one radio link control service data unit to UE 110, UE 110 is instructed to configure the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes the at the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode. Such embodiments may for example be employed to reconfigure UB 110 back into the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode after having previously been configured into the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

In embodiments, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter inserted by processor 106 of network entity 100 comprises a first predetermined value, and the inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter having the first predetermined value is operable to instruct UE 100 to configure the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode in relation to the at least one received radio link control service data unit.

In embodiments, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter inserted by processor 106 of network entity 100 comprises a second predetermined value, and the inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection arid recovery configuration parameter having the second predetermined value is operable to instruct the user equipment to configure a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode in relation to the at least one radio link control service data unit, In embodiments, one or more of the first and second predetermined values and the first and second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameters are specified in a specification (for example in 3 GPP specification 25.331). Tn other embodiments, one or more of the first and second predetermined values and the first and second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameters are negotiated between network entity 100 and UE 110, for example via RRC signalling.

In embodiments, processor 116 of UE 110 identifies whether the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter comprises a first predetermined value or a second predetermined value.

In some embodiments, the configuring of UE 110 into the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out in response to the identification identif'ing the first predetermined value.

In other embodiments, in response to the identification identifying the second predetermined value, UE 110 processes the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

The first predetermined value may for example comprise a value of 1' and the second predetermined value may for example comprise a value of 0'.

In embodiments, the at least one radio link control service data unit is associated with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice service.

In embodiments, the at least one radio link control service data unit is associated with a circuit-switched voice communication over High Speed Packet Access (CSoHSPA) service.

In embodiments, the radio resource control message transmitted from network entity 100 to UE 110 comprises a radio resource control reconfiguration message. In embodiments, the radio resource control reconfiguration message comprises one of a RadioBearerSetup message and a RadioBearerReconfiguratiori message.

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram according to embodiments. At item 2a, processor 106 of network entity 100, retrieves a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter from memory 102 and inserts, into a radio resource control message, the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter. The inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct a user equipment, such as UB 100, in telecommunications network 1 to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

At item 2b, processor 106 of network entity 100 transmits the radio resource 1 5 control message containing the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter to UE 110 via network 120. The radio resource control message could for example comprise a RadioBearerSetup message or a RadioBearerReconfiguration message.

The radio resource control message of item 2b is received by UE 110 and passed to radio resource control entity 113 of UE 110. Radio resource control entity 113 of UE 110, determines (possibly in conjunction with processor 116) that the radio resource control message of item 2b contains the first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, so instructs radio link control entity 118 of UE 110 to configure a first predetennined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery mode in item 2c. Radio link control entity 11 8 transmits a radio resource control message, for example a RadioBearerSetupComplete message or a RadioBearerReconfigurationComplete message, to network entity 100 in item 2d to confirm that the configuration has been carried out.

At item 2e, network entity 110 transmits one or more radio link control service data units to liE 110 via network 120. Upon receipt of the one or more radio link control service data units transmitted from network entity 100, UE 110 processes such radio link control service data units according to the configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Embodiments of the invention comprise introduction of an additional RLC PDU field, which can be used to verify that RLC PDU data has been correctly de-ciphered after the deciphering process.

For example, when UM RLC ciphering error detection is configured, a transmitter RLC entity adds a parity field (for example one-byte) just before the user data field then ciphers not only the RLC PDU user data field, but also the added parity

field.

A receiving RLC entity then cheeks whether the parity field indicates an expected value after deciphering the RLC PDU. If the receiving RLC entity detects an invalid parity field N times consecutively, then the UM RLC entity reports an RLC unrecoverable error to an RRC entity in the receiving entity. The value N comprises a positive integer, for example 2. The RRC layer can then take necessary remedial 1 5 action for the recovery of the RLC unrecoverable error. Such remedial action may for example involve initiating a cell update procedure or by reporting an RLC unrecoverable error by transmitting an uplink RRC message to a network entity such as a RNC network entity. The uplink RRC message may for example comprise a Signalling Connection Release Indication message.

In embodiments, the value N and/or the content of the added parity field comprise hardcoded values which are specified in one or more specifications, for example in 3GPP specification 25.322. In other embodiments, the value N and/or content of the parity field is negotiated between UE and NW, for example via RRC signalling. Such RRC signalling may comprise an RNC informing tiE 110 of the expected value of the added parity field via a RRC reconfiguration message such as a RadioBearerSetup message and/or a RadioBearerReconfiguration message.

Embodiments which enable ciphering error detection and recovery in telecommunications network 1 are now described in relation to Figure 1.

Processor 106 of network entity 100 inserts ossibly in conjunction with RLC 108 andlor PDCP entity 109) predetermined data into at least one radio link control service data unit. The predetermined data has the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header. The term having the same form' here should be interpreted as the predetermined data being identical to a packet data convergence protocol header, for example the predetermined data has the same number of bits and the same bit values as a packet data convergence protocol header would have.

Processor 106 then facilitates transmittal of the at least one radio link control service data unit containing the inserted predetermined data to UE 110, via network 120, for example by controlling andlor instructing RLC Tx 1 08a and/or PDCP I 09a Tx accordingly.

Upon receipt of the at least one radio link control service data unit comprising the predetermined data by UB 110, UE 110 is able to apply either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism to the at least one received radio link control service data unit applying, on the basis of the predetermined data.

Depending on its configuration, UE 110 can choose to apply an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism to the at least one radio link control service data unit, or UE 110 can choose to apply a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism.

As a result of such embodiments, the NW does not need to configure a PDCP entity to enable UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery and so overhead associated with implementing PDCP functionality does not exist.

In embodiments, the predetcnnined data is inserted into a header part of the at least one radio link control service data unit.

In embodiments, the predetermined data is inserted into a new field of at least one radio link control protocol data unit generated from at least a first pan of the at least one radio link control service data unit. An RLC SDU is conveyed by one or more RLC PDTJs. If the RLC SDU size does not fit the RLC PDU data field, then the RLC SDU is segmented into more than one RLC PDUs.

In embodiments, the new field comprises a new parity field added to the at least one radio link control protocol data unit.

In embodiments, the new field is added into the at least one radio link control protocol data unit next to user data of the at least one radio link control protocol data unit.

In embodiments, the new field is added into the at least one radio link control protocol data unit next to a length indicator field of the at least one radio link control protocol data unit, In embodiments, comprises a plurality of radio link control protocol data units are generated from the at least one radio link control service data unit and the predetermined data is inserted into a first radio link control protocol data unit in the plurality of radio link control protocol data units.

Figure 3 shows a schematic of a radio link control protocol data unit 2 according to embodiments. Radio link control protocol data unit 2 comprises a sequence number field 300, a number of LI fields 302 to 304, a user data field 306 and a padding field (PAD) 308. In these embodiments, predetermined data is inserted into new parity field 310. The predetermined data inserted into the new parity field is intentionally selected such that is has the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header. Parity field can be seen to be located between user data field 306 and

LI field 304.

In embodiments, radio link control protocol data unit 2 and zero or more other radio link control protocol data units are generated from a radio link control service data unit and the one or more radio link control protocol data units (including radio link control protocol data unit 2) are transmitted to UE 110. Upon receipt of radio link control service data unit 2 comprising the predetermined data by UE 110, UE 110 can apply either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the content of the parity field (i.e. the predetermined data) or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the content of the packet data convergence protocol header (i.e. the predetermined data). In each case, the ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism is carried out on the basis of the predetermined data either at a RLC layer or a PDCP layer.

Note that the parity field can be present even when a LI field is not present in the RLC PDU, for example in the case that an alternative B-bit is configured.

Adding the parity field to the RLC PDU is intended to mimic the behaviour of a PDCP layer, i.e. encoding of the new RLC field is such that the field looks like a PDCP header. This means that even if a PDCP layer is not configured by the network, the UE has implementation freedom to perform the error detection function at either the RLC layer or the PDCP layer.

Because the new field is encoded in such a way that it looks identical to a PDCP header, the receiver entity can choose to implement ciphering error detection and recovery in either a RLC layer or a PDCP layer and the transmitter entity can similarly implement such in either a RLC layer or a PDCP layer.

Tn embodiments, network entity 100 configures a dummy packet data convergence protocol layer to carry out the insertion of the predetermined data having the same fonn as a packet data convergence protocol header into the at least one radio link control service data unit. The packet data convergence protocol layer configured by network entity 100 is a dummy layer because it does not carry out any other packet data convergence protocol processing, other than insertion of the predetermined data having the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header into the at least one radio link control service data unit.

In embodiments, the dummy packet data convergence protocol layer is configured in a radio link control entity 108 of network entity 100.

Tn embodiments, the at least one radio link control service data unit into which the predetermined data is inserted is associated with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice service.

In embodiments, the at least one radio link control service data unit into which the predetermined data is inserted is associated with a circuit-switched voice communication over High Speed Packet Access (CSoHSPA) service.

In embodiments, UE 110 configures a dummy packet data convergence protocol layer to carry out the application of the packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism to the at least one received radio link control service data unit. In embodiments, the dummy packet data convergence protocol layer configured by UE 100 carries out the application of the packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism by processing the packet data convergence protocol header contained in the at least one received radio link control sen'ice data unit. The packet data convergence protocol layer configured by UE 110 is a dummy layer because it does not carry out any other packet data convergence protocol processing, other than processing the packet data convergence protocol header contained in the at least one received radio link control service data unit.

In embodiments, the dummy packet data convergence protocol layer configured by UE 100 is configured in radio link control entity 118 of UB 100.

In embodiments, network entity 100 inserts predetermined data into a plurality of radio link control service data unit with the predetermined data having the same form as packet data convergence protocol headers. Network entity 100 then transmits the plurality of radio link control service data units containing the inserted predetermined data to UE 110, via network 120. Upon receipt of the plurality of radio link control service data units, UE 110 applies the unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism to the plurality of radio link control service data units.

In response to the applying of UE 110 resulting in detection of one or more errors in the predetermined data in a given number of consecutive received radio link control service data units in the plurality of radio link control service data units, UE initiates a recovery procedure for a radio link control unrecoverable error.

In embodiments, the initiating comprises initiating a CellUpdate procedure.

In embodiments, the initiating comprises initiating radio link control or packet data convergence protocol error reporting in telecommunication network 1.

In embodiments, initiating the radio link control or packet data convergence protocol error reporting comprises UB 110 transmitting an uplink radio resource control message to network entity 100. In embodiments, the uplink radio resource control message transmitted from UE 110 to network entity 100 comprises a SignallingConnectionReleaselndication message.

Figure 4 shows a flow diagram according to embodiments. At item 4a, network node 100, receives downlink voice data (user data) from core network 140 of telecommunications network 1.

Processor 106 of network entity 100 creates (in conjunction with PDCP entity 109) a packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit from the user data and passes this in the form of a radio link control service data unit to RLC entity 108.

Processor 106 (in conjunction with RLC entity 108) segments the radio link control service data unit into one or more radio link control protocol data units. If the radio link control service data unit is not small enough to fit into one radio link control protocol data unit, then the radio link control service data unit is segmented into more than one radio link control protocol data units.

In this embodiment, the radio link control service data unit is segmented into two radio link control protocol data units, i.e. a first radio link control protocol data unit and a second radio link control protocol data unit. Processor 106 of network entity 100 inserts (possibly in conjunction with RLC entity 108 and/or PDCP entity 109) predetermined data having the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header into the first radio link control protocol data unit generated from the radio link control service data unit.

At item 4b, network node 100 transmits (possibly in conjunction with RLC entity 108) the first radio link control protocol data unit generated from the radiO link control service data unit to UE 110 via network 120.

The first radio link control protocol data unit is received by UE 110, and processor 116 (possibly in conjunction with RLC Rx entity 11 Sb) checks whether the predetermined data contained within the first radio link control protocol data unit contains the correct expected value in item 4c. Which of RLC Rx entity 11 8b and PDCP Rx entity 11 9b performs the checks of the predetermined data will depend on configuration of UE 110.

At item 4d, network node 100 transmits the second radio link control protocol data unit generated from the radio link control service data unit to UE 110 via network 120.

Items 4a to 4d are then repeated a plurality of times for a plurality of radio link control service data units.

At item 4e, processor 116 (possibly in conj unction with RLC Rx entity 11 8b and/or PDCP Rx entity 11 9b) detects whether one or more errors in the predetermined data (i.e. discrepancies between the received predetermined data and an expected value for the received predetermined data) occur in a given number N of consecutive received radio link control service data units.

The given number N is a positive integer (for examp]e 2) and comprises the number of consecutive radio link control service data units for which one or more errors may occur in the predetermined data before a recovery procedure for a radio link control unrecoverable error is initiated.

In embodiments, the given number N is a hardcoded value which is specified in a specification, for example in 3GPP specification 25.322. In other embodiments, the given number N is negotiated between UE 110 and network entity 100, for example via RRC signalling.

In response to processor 116 (possibly in conjunction with RLC Rx entity 11 Sb andlor PDCP Rx entity 11 9b) detecting one or more errors in at least N consecutive received radio link control service data units, processor 116 indicates (possibly in conjunction with RLC Rx entity 11 8b andlor PDCP Rx entity 11 9b) an RLC unrecoverable status to RRC entity 113 of UE 110 in item 4f.

Upon receipt of the status indication of item 4f, RRC entity 113 of UE 110 1 5 initiates a recovery procedure for a radio link control unrecoverable error in item 4g, for example by initiating a CellUpdate procedure or radio link control or packet data convergence protocol error reporting in telecommunication network 1.

Initiating the radio link control or packet data convergence protocol error reporting may comprise RRC entity 113 of UE 110 transmitting an uplink radio resource control message to network entity 100 in item 4h, for example a SignallingCoi-mectionReleaselndication message.

In the embodiments of Figure 4 described above, network node 100 may comprise an RNC.

In embodiments described above, predetermined data is inserted into at least one radio link control service data unit at a network node 100 and the at least one radio link control service data unit is transmitted from network node 100 to a UE 110, i.e. in a downlink direction. Such embodiments may equally apply in the opposite direction, i.e. in an uplink direction, where predetermined data is inserted into at least one radio link control service data unit by a UE 110 and the at least one radio link control service data unit and transmitted from UF 110 to network node 100.

Figure 5 shows a system diagram according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network 1 are now described in relation to Figure 5.

At a first node 5100, user data 5504 is passed to a packet data convergence protocol entity (PDCP Tx 5109).

At packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Tx 5 109, a packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is generated by adding a packet data convergence protocol header to the user data. The packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is passed 506 to a radio link control transmitter entity RLC Tx 5108a.

At the radio link control transmitter entity RLC Tx 5 108a, the packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is received as a radio link control service data unit. The packet data convergence protocol header is contained in a parity field of a radio link control protocol data unit generated from a first part of the radio link control service data unit. The radio link control service data unit comprising the packet data convergence protocol header is transmitted 508 to a second node 5110 in telecommunication network 1 (in this case via network 120).

As a result of receipt of the radio link control service data unit, the second node 5110 is able to apply, either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the parity field or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the packet data convergence protocol header to the radio link control service data unit.

In embodiments, packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Tx 5109 of first node 5100 does not carry out any packet data convergence protocol related processing other than the generating and passing.

In embodiments, the first node 5100 comprises a network entity, such as network entity 100, the second node 5110 comprises a user equipment, such as UE 110, and the radio link control service data unit is transmitted in a downlink direction.

In embodiments, the first node 5100 comprises a user equipment, such as UE 110, the second node 5110 comprises a network entity, such as network entity 100, and the radio link control service data unit is transmitted in an uplink direction.

Further embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network I are now described in relation to Figure 5.

A radio link control service data unit comprising a packet data convergence protocol header is received 508 at a radio link control receiver entity RLC Rx 511 8a in a second node 5110. The packet data convergence protocol header is contained in a parity field of a radio link control protocol data unit generated from a first part of the radio link control service data unit.

In some embodiments, radio link control receiver entity 511 8a in node 5110 applies, to the received radio link control service data unit, an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of

the parity field.

In other embodiments, radio link control receiver entity 511 Sa in node 5 110 passes 5 10 the received radio link control service data unit to a packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Rx 5119 of node 5110.

In embodiments where the received radio link control service data unit is passed to packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Rx 5119, packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Rx 5119 applies, to the radio link control service data unit, a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the packet data convergence protocol header.

In embodiments, packet data convergence protocol entity PDCP Rx 5119 of node 5110 does not carry out any packet data convergence protocol related processing other than the application of the packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism.

In embodiments, node 5110 comprises a network entity, such as network entity 100, and the radio link control service data unit is received in an uplink direction.

In embodiments, node 5110 comprises a user equipment, such as UE 110, and the radio link control service data unit is received in a downlink direction.

In the embodiments described above in relation to Figure 5, PDCP Tx entity 5109 is depicted as being a separate entity to RLC Tx entity 51 08a. In other embodiments, PDCP Tx entity 5109 is located within an RLC entity of node 5100, for example within RLC Tx 5108a.

In the embodiments described above in relation to Figure 5, PDCP Rx entity 5119 is depicted as being a separate entity to RLC entity 5118a. In other embodiments, PDCP Rx entity 5119 is located within an RLC entity of node 5 110, for example within RLC Rx 51 iSa.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure 6, such embodiments being carried out at a user equipment.

At item 600, a radio resource control message is received.

At item 602, in response to determining that the received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, the user equipment is configured into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

At item 604, at least one radio link control service data unit is received.

At item 606, the at least one radio link control service data unit is processed according to the configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Figure 7 shows a flow chart according to embodiments, Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure 7, such embodiments being carried out at a network entity.

At item 700, it is determined whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, the inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in the network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; At item 702, the radio resource control message is transmitted to the user equipment.

At item 704, the at least one radio link control service data unit is transmitted to the user equipment.

As a result, in the case of the determination being positive, the user equipment is instructed to configure the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes the at the at least one radio link control service data unit according to the first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, As a result, in the case of the determination being negative, the user equipment processes the at the at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.

Figure 8 shows a flow chart according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure 8, such embodiments being carried out at a network entity.

At item 800, predetermined data is inserted into at least one radio link control service data unit, the predetermined data having the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header.

At item 802, the at least one radio link control service data unit comprising the predetermined data is transmitted to a user equipment in the network.

As a result, the user equipment is able to apply, on the basis of the predetermined data, either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism to the at least one radio link control service data unit.

Figure 9 shows a flow chart according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure 9, such embodiments being carried out at a user equipment.

At item 900, at least one radio link control service data unit comprising predetermined data is received, the predetermined data having the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header.

At item 902, either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism is applied to the at least one received radio link control service data unit on the basis of the predetermined data.

Figure 10 shows a flow chart according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure 10, such embodiments being carried out at a first node in the network.

At item 1000, a packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is generated at a packet data convergence protocol entity by adding a packet data convergence protocol header to user data.

At item 1002, at the packet data convergence protocol entity, the packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is passed to a radio link control transmitter entity.

At item 1004, at the radio link control transmitter entity, the packet data convergence protocol protocol data unit is received as a radio link control service data unit, wherein the packet data convergence protocol header is contained in a parity field of a radio link control protocol data unit generated from a first part of the radio link control service data unit.

At item 1006, at the radio link control transmitter entity, the radio link control 1 5 protocol data unit comprising the packet data convergence protocol header is transmitted to a second node in the network.

As a result, the second node is ableto apply, either an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the parity field or a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism on the basis of the packet data convergence protocol header to the radio link control service data unit.

Figure 11 shows a flow chart according to embodiments. Embodiments for enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network are now described in relation to Figure Il, such embodiments being carried out at a node in the network.

At item 1100, a radio link control service data unit comprising a packet data convergence protocol header is received at a radio link control receiver entity, wherein the packet data convergence protocol header is contained in a parity field of a radio link control protocol data unit generated from a first part of the radio link control service data unit.

Either: At item 1 102A, at the radio link control receiver entity, an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism is applied to the radio link control service data unit on the basis of the parity field. Or:

At item 1 102B, at the radio link control receiver entity, the radio link control service data unit is passed to a packet data convergence protocol entity of the node.

At item 1104, at the packet data convergence protocol entity, in the case of the radio link control service data unit being passed to the packet data convergence entity, a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mechanism is applied to the radio link control service data unit on the basis of the packet data convergence protocol header.

Note that 3GPP specifications use the term "UM RLC ciphering error detection and recovery" to refer to PDCP ciphering error detection and recovery.

To avoid any conthsion in relation to such 3GPP terminology herein, the 1 5 unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode (or mechanism) referred to in embodiments herein, could be referred to as an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode (or mechanism) performed in a UM RLC entity. Similarly, to avoid any confusion in relation to such 3GPP terminology herein, the packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode (or mechanism) referred to in embodiments herein, could be referred to as a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode (or mechanism) performed in a PDCP entity.

Various embodiments of network entity 100 and user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to: user equipment, endpoint device, mobile (or cellular') telephones (including so-called "smart phones"), data cards, USB dongles, personal portable digital devices having wireless communication capabilities including but not limited to laptop/palmtop/tablet computers, digital cameras and music devices, sensor network components, Internet appliances, a network entity such as an RNC, an MME, a base station, a node B, an evolved node B (eNB), etc. Various embodiments of memories 102 and 112 include any data storage technology type which is suitable to the local technical environment, including but not limited to semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, removable memory, disc memory, flash memory, DRAM, SEAM, BEPROM and the like. Various embodiments of processors 106 and 116 include but are not limited to microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSP5), multi-core processors, general purpose computers, and special purpose computers.

It will be understood that any of processors 106 and 116 or processing system or circuitry referred to herein may in practice be provided by a single chip or integrated circuit or plural chips or integrated circuits, optionally provided as a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The chip or chips may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry, which are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware).

Although at least some aspects of the embodiments described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, the invention also extends to computer software, computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for puffing the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of non-transitory source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other non-transitory form suitable for use in the implementation of processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD) or other semiconductor-based RAM; a RUM, for example a CD RUM or a semiconductor RUM; a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or hard disk; optical memory devices in general; etc. While network 120 may be configured in accordance with LTE or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), other networks may support the method, apparatus and computer program product of embodiments including those configured in accordance with W-CDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, GPRS and/or the like.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. The term embodiments' used herein should be interpreted as meaning some examples' or some embodiments'. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. For example, any embodiment which involves use of a predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter may be combined with any embodiment which involves predetermined data having the same form as a packet data convergence protocol header. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

List of acronyms and abbreviations: 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project CS circuit switched CSoHSPA CS voice over IISPA HFN hyper frame number GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node GSM global system for mobile communications GPRS general packet radio service HSPA high speed packet access TE information element IMS IP multimedia subsystem LI length indicator LTE long term evolution LTE-A LTE-advanced MME mobility management entity NW network PDCP packet data convergence protocol PDU protocol data unit P-GW packet data network gateway PS packet switched RAB radio access bearer RB radio bearer RLC radio link control RNC radio network controller RRC radio resource control R.x receiver SGSN Serving (]PRS Support Node S-GW serving gateway Tx transmitter UB user equipment UM unacknowledged mode UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system W-CDMA wideband code division multiple access

Claims

Claims 1. A method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a user equipment: S receiving a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configuring said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receiving at least one radio link control service data unit; and processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said configuring comprises configuring receiver and transmitter parts of said user equipment into said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising, in response to determining that said received radio resource control message does not comprise said first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising, in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
5. A method according to claim 1, comprising: I. _____________ identifying whether said first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter comprises a first predetermined value or a second predetermined value, wherein said configuring of said user equipment into said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out in response to said identification identifying said first predetermined value.
6. A method according to claim 5, comprising in response to said identification identifying said second predetermined value, processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
7. A method according to any preceding claim, whercin said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode comprises an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said processing of said at least one radio link contrcil service data unit according to said unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out by an unacknowledged mode radio link control entity in said user equipment
9. A method according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein said second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode comprises a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said processing of said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode is carried out by a packet data convergence protocol entity in said user equipment.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one radio link control service data unit is associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice service.
12. A method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one radio link control service data unit is associated with a circuit-switched voice communication over High Speed Packet Access (CSoHSPA) service.
13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said received radio resource control message comprises a radio resource control reconfiguration message.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said radio resource control reconfiguration message comprises one of: a RadioBearerSetup message, and a RadioBearerReconfiguration message.
15. Apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a processing system adapted to, at a user equipment: receive a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configurc said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receive at least one radio link control service data unit; and process said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
16. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a user equipment: receiving a radio resource control message; in response to determining that said received radio resource control message comprises a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, configuring said user equipment into a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; receiving at least one radio link control service data unit; and processing said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said configured first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
17. Computer software adapted to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 14.
18. A method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a network entity: determining whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmitting said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmitting at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovcry mode.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct said user equipment to configure receiver and transmitter parts of said user equipment into said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, said method comprising: in the case of said determination being negative, prior to said transmittal of said radio resource control message to said user equipment, inserting, into said radio resource control message, a second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted second, different predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, said user equipment is instructed to configure said second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
21. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein said inserted first predetennined radio bearer ciphering enor detection and recovery configuration parameter comprises a first predetermined value, and wherein said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct said user equipment to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode in relation to said at least one radio link control service data unit.
22. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter comprises a second predetermined value, and wherein said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter is operable to instruct said user equipment to configure a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode in relation to said at least one radio link control service data unit.
23. A method according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode comprises an unacknowledged mode radio link control ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
24. A method according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein said second, different ciphering error detection mode comprises a packet data convergence protocol ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
25. A method according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein said at least 1 5 one radio link control service data unit is associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice service.
26. A method according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein said at least one radio link control service data unit is associated with a circuit-switched voice communication over High Speed Packet Access (CSoHSPA) service.
27. A method according to any of claims 18 to 26, wherein said radio resource control message comprises a radio resource control reconfiguration message.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said radio resource control reconfiguration message comprises one of: a RadioBearerSetup message, and a RadioBearerReconfiguration message.
29. Apparatus for use in enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a processing adapted to, at a network entity: *1 a determine whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmit said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmit at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
30. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of enabling ciphering error detection and recovery in a telecommunications network, the method comprising, at a network entity: determining whether to insert, into a radio resource control message, a first predetermined radio bearcr ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter, said inserted first predetermined radio bearer ciphering error detection and recovery configuration parameter being operable to instruct a user equipment in said network to configure a first ciphering error detection and recovery mode; transmitting said radio resource control message to said user equipment; and transmitting at least one radio link control service data unit to said user equipment, whereby, in the case of said determination being positive, said user equipment is instructed to configure said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode and thus processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to said first ciphering error detection and recovery mode, whereby, in the case of said determination being negative, said user equipment processes said at said at least one radio link control service data unit according to a second, different ciphering error detection and recovery mode.
31. Computer software adapted to perform the method of any of claims 18 to 28.