CHANNEL SCRAMBLING TECHNIQUES IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for security enhancement of physical layer communications through scrambling of transmissions using a hybrid seed to generate a scrambling sequence. The hybrid seed may be determined as a function of a measured channel characteristic of a channel between a user equipment (UE) and network entity, and channel reciprocity may be used to provide that measurements at the UE and the network entity produce the same or similar measured channel characteristics. A hybrid seed may be shared with multiple UEs, in some cases, using unique characteristics of a channel between each UE and the network entity.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to wireless communications, including channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

In some wireless communications systems, user privacy and data confidentiality may be provided through cryptographic functionalities that provide secure and reliable transmission protocols. Further enhancements to secure and reliable communications are desirable to provide further security robustness and reliability of wireless communications.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications. In accordance with various aspects, the described techniques provide for security enhancement of physical layer communications through scrambling transmissions using a hybrid seed to generate a scrambling sequence. In some cases, the hybrid seed may be determined as a function of a measured channel characteristic of a channel between a user equipment (UE) and network entity, and channel reciprocity may be used to provide that measurements at the UE and the network entity produce the same or similar measured channel characteristics. A hybrid seed may be shared with multiple UEs, in some cases, using unique characteristics of a channel between each UE and the network entity. In some cases, a UE that desires to obtain the hybrid seed may transmit a first communication based on a random phase offset. The network entity that receives the communication may measure a phase rotation of the first communication, add a phase offset as a function of the hybrid seed, and transmit a second communication back to the UE using the determined phase offset. The receiving UE may determine the phase offset based on the random phase offset used for the first communication, and then determine the hybrid seed based on the function of the phase offset.

A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described. The method may include measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity, determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity, generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to measure a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity, determine a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and receive at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity, means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity, means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and means for receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to measure a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity, determine a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and receive at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the receiving at least the first communication may include operations, features, means, or instructions for decoding one or more of a control channel payload or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the generating the scrambling sequence may include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters (S) associated with the scrambling sequence and generating the scrambling sequence based on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the UE, a physical cell identification (PCID), or any combinations thereof, and where the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed. Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining, responsive to an indication from the network entity or a timer expiration, a new scrambling sequence based on an updated physical layer channel characteristic measurement and associated determined hybrid seed.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the measuring the physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel uses a downlink reference signal associated with hybrid seed determination, and where the UE transmits an uplink reference signal to the network entity within a channel coherence time for determination of the hybrid seed at the network entity. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the measured physical layer channel characteristic may be one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an angle-of-arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value, receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel, determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value, generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function, and receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to transmit a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value, receive a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel, determine the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function, and receive at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value, means for receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel, means for determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value, means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function, and means for receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to transmit a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value, receive a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel, determine the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function, and receive at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first phase offset value may be selected randomly from range of available phase offset values, a beam used to transmit the first communication may be selected randomly from a set of available beams, or any combinations thereof, for each instance of a transmission of the first communication to the network entity. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the determining the discrete phase offset value may include operations, features, means, or instructions for measuring a received phase of the second communication, determining a difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value, and determining the discrete phase offset value based on the difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the second communication may be transmitted via a set of multiple frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that may be quantized by a set of multiple bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the physical layer channel and suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value. Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on a payload of the second communication based on the scrambling sequence and transmitting a negative acknowledgment to the network entity responsive to a failure of the CRC.

A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE, determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity, generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to measure a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE, determine a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and transmit at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE, means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity, means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and means for transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to measure a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE, determine a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity, generate a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed, and transmit at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for encoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS of the first communication based on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the generating the scrambling sequence may include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters of the first UE that are associated with the scrambling sequence and generating the scrambling sequence based on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the first UE, a PCID associated with the network entity, or any combinations thereof, and where the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the first UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the first UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the measured physical layer channel characteristic may be one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an AoA, an AoD, a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for sharing the hybrid seed with at least a second UE. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the sharing may include operations, features, means, or instructions for measuring a first phase offset value of a second communication from the second UE, determining a discrete phase offset value as a function of the hybrid seed, and transmitting, to the second UE, a third communication using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and the measured first phase offset value. In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the third communication may be transmitted via a set of multiple frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that is quantized by a set of multiple bits.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the wireless channel and suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value. Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining an CRC value of a payload of the first communication based on the scrambling sequence, appending the CRC value to the payload of the first communication, and retransmitting the first communication responsive to an associated negative acknowledgment received from the first UE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various wireless communications systems, such as 4G and 5G wireless communications systems, provide encryption for upper layer communications (application layer communications) through upper-layer cryptographic functionalities. Such encryption provides for secure end-to-end data communications via wireless networks. However, similar protections are not available for physical layer channels, such as for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmissions, which may provide downlink control information (DCI) and various parameters for communications functionalities at the physical layer. Such reduced protections may make such physical layer communications vulnerable to a malicious attack that may target the physical layer communications and provide fake PDCCH packets that may disrupt communications in a network through interference with channel decoding parameters, power parameters, modem on/off state parameters, and the like. In some other examples, a malicious node may capture the PDCCH packet and obtain the enclosed DCI. In some cases, devices may use scrambling of PDCCH payload with a physical cell identification (PCI) which has 1008 possibilities, or with a configured scrambling identification (e.g., pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID) such as a 16 bit ID for 65,536 possibilities. In either case, while upper layer communications remain protected by encryption, the physical layer scrambling may be susceptible to brute-force attacks, and more secure physical layer communications may be desirable in order to enhance the security of wireless communications and prevent attacks that can impact network availability and utilization (e.g., via obtaining DCI from captured PDCCH packets).

In accordance with various aspects, the present disclosure provides security enhancement techniques for physical layer communications through scrambling transmissions using a hybrid seed to generate a scrambling sequence. In some cases, the hybrid seed may be determined as a function of a measured channel characteristic of a channel between a user equipment (UE) and network entity. Channel reciprocity may be used to provide that measurements at the UE and the network entity produce the same or similar measured channel characteristics, such that the function to determine the hybrid seed will yield the same result at both the UE and the network entity. Thus, the value of the hybrid seed is not transferred over the public (i.e., unencrypted) channel, and is not easily detectable because the channel between the devices is unique.

In some cases, for DCI payload that is transmitted to multiple different UEs, the hybrid seed can be shared among UEs using unique characteristics of a channel between each UE and the network entity. In some cases, a UE that desires to obtain the hybrid seed may transmit a first communication based on a random phase offset. The network entity that receives the communication may measure a phase rotation of the first communication. A phase offset may be determined as a function of the hybrid seed and added to the measured phase rotation, which is used to transmit a second communication back to the UE. The UE may determine the phase offset based on the random phase offset used for the first communication, and then determine the hybrid seed based on the function of the phase offset.

Such techniques may enhance communication security for wireless networks and help ensure availability of network services (e.g., against denial attacks) through physical layer communications scrambling based on hybrid seeds. Such a hybrid scrambling sequence generation techniques may provide physical layer security for PDCCH (e.g., for DCI types addressing either single or multiple UEs) by providing additional randomness (e.g., unguessibility) to the scrambling operation through the uniqueness of the underlying physical layer channel.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Examples of hybrid seed determination and scrambling using hybrid seeds are then discussed. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications.

In some cases, security enhancement of physical layer communications may be provided through scrambling transmissions using a hybrid seed to generate a scrambling sequence. In some cases, the hybrid seed may be determined as a function of a measured channel characteristic of a channel between a UE115and network entity105, and channel reciprocity may be used to provide that measurements at the UE115and the network105entity produce the same or similar measured channel characteristics. A hybrid seed may be shared with multiple UEs115, in some cases, using unique characteristics of a channel between each UE115and the network entity105. In some cases, a UE115that desires to obtain the hybrid seed may transmit a first communication based on a random phase offset. The network entity105that receives the communication may measure a phase rotation of the first communication, add a phase offset as a function of the hybrid seed, and transmit a second communication back to the UE115using the determined phase offset. The receiving UE115may determine the phase offset based on the random phase offset used for the first communication, and then determine the hybrid seed based on the function of the phase offset.

FIG.2illustrates an example of a wireless communications system200that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless communications system200may implement aspects of wireless communication system100and may include first UE115-a,second UE115-b,and a network entity105-awith coverage area110-a.Network entity105-aand UEs115may be examples of UEs115and network entities105as described with reference toFIG.1.

In some examples, the first UE115-aand the network entity105-amay communicate using one or more downlink carriers205and one or more uplink carriers210. Similarly, the second UE115-band the network entity105-amay communicate using one or more downlink carriers230and one or more uplink carriers235. In accordance with various aspects described herein, physical layer communications may be transmitted between UEs115and network entity105-a,where the physical layer communications are scrambled using a hybrid seed to generate a scrambling sequence. The hybrid seed may be based on a scrambling ID associated with the first UE115-a,and as a function of a measured channel characteristic of a channel between the first UE115-aand the network entity105-a.Channel reciprocity may be used to provide that measurements at the first UE115-aand the network entity105-aproduce the same or similar measured channel characteristics, such that the function to determine the hybrid seed will yield the same result at both the first UE115-aand the network entity105-a.Thus, the value of the hybrid seed is not transferred over the channel, and is not easily detectable because the channel between the devices is unique.

In some cases, the network entity105-amay transmit a downlink reference signal215that is measured at the first UE115-ato determine the measured channel characteristic. The first UE115-amay transmit uplink reference signal220that is measured at the network entity105-ato determine the measured channel characteristic. In some cases, the downlink reference signal215and the uplink reference signal220may be transmitted within a channel coherence time to help ensure channel reciprocity.

In some cases, after establishment of the hybrid seed, the network entity105-amay transmit a PDCCH225-atransmission that may include a DCI payload scrambled with the hybrid seed. In some cases, the hybrid seed can be shared with the second UE115-busing unique characteristics of the channel between the second UE115-band the network entity105-a.In some cases, the second UE115-bthat desires to obtain the hybrid seed may transmit an uplink signal240that includes a first communication based on a random phase offset. The network entity105-amay receive the uplink signal240and measure a phase rotation. A phase offset may be determined as a function of the hybrid seed and added to the measured phase rotation, which is used to transmit downlink signal245that includes a second communication back to the second UE115-b.The second UE115-bmay determine the phase offset based on the random phase offset used for the first communication, and then determine the hybrid seed based on the function of the phase offset. In some cases, after sharing of the hybrid seed, the network entity105-amay transmit a PDCCH225-btransmission that may include a DCI payload that is scrambled with the hybrid seed.

Such techniques may enhance security and reliability of wireless communications by reducing the likelihood that an adversary may interfere with communications, such as by producing fake PDCCH packets, which pose threat on correct implementation of various functionalities including shared channel decoding, adjusting uplink power, and keeping a UE115receiver in the correct state (e.g., ON/OFF) while monitoring PDCCH. Techniques as discussed herein provide security with PDCCH225transmissions that have physical layer security protection that uses hybrid-seed for scrambling sequence generation for both the PDCCH payload and respective demodulation reference signal (DMRS) transmissions. In some cases, as discussed, the hybrid seed may be based on a channel-response based secret which is known only by the network entity105-aand the UEs115. The resulting scrambling sequence may not be able to be regenerated locally by an adversary which thereby enhanced secrecy of the PDCCH225transmission.

In some cases, the scrambling sequence for any PDCCH225block (e.g., DCI payload+DMRS) referencing either single or multiple UEs115is initialized with a hybrid seed which is composed of an initialization parameter (e.g., an upper layer initialization parameter such as pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID or physical cell ID (PCID)) and channel-response-based secret known only by the network entity105-aand the UEs115referenced within the PDCCH225. Scrambling may be carried out using the same unique sequence produced by the UEs115and network entity105-aseparately, the scrambling sequence generated by using a function f(·) which is known to both the network entity105-aand UEs115(e.g., modulation function). In some cases, the function is based on the initialization parameter S and channel-response-based secret K. In some cases, S may be based on the upper-layer parameter pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID or PCID, and K may be generated by the network entity105-aand UEs115locally, without exchanging it over public (e.g., unencrypted) channels, based on the measurements of the first UE115-aand the network entity105-a.Because the channel between network entity105-aand first UE115-ais unique to this transmit-receive pair and random (e.g., due to fading), it acts as a source of common randomness in generating random secret K. Since K is not known by adversaries, the number of possibilities that any adversary must try (i.e., to find the correct scrambling sequence) will increase along with the size of K. Further, any public information on the function f(·) does not impair the security performance as the secrecy of the scrambling sequence depends on the randomness of the channel (not on the secrecy of f(·).

In some cases, to obtain the channel-response-based secret K, the following procedure may be performed. When there is any need to generate a new scrambling sequence, the channel between network entity105-aand the first UE115-amay be estimated. In some cases, the network entity105-amay transmit an indication to the first UE115-a(e.g., a bit or flag in DCI) to initiate a new scrambling sequence. In some cases, the network entity105-amay configure UEs115beforehand to generate a new scrambling sequence whenever a timer expires (e.g., a timer that is a function of the lifetime of not only the scrambling sequence but also that of K). In some cases, the timer may be configured dynamically by the network entity105-a(e.g., based on the channel variations). The first UE115-athen estimates its channel with network entity105-aby using a downlink reference signal215transmitted by network entity105-a(e.g., a DMRS), and sends uplink reference signal220(e.g., sounding RS (SRS)) back to the network entity105-a.The first UE115-asends the uplink reference signal220within a time period no longer than the channel coherence time to ensure both the network entity105-aand first UE115-aare using the “same” channel realization. The network entity105-aestimates the channel between the first UE115-abased on the uplink reference signal220. The network entity105-aand the first UE115-aestimate one or more channel parameters (e.g., phase, received signal strength (RSS), angle-of arrival or departure (AoA/AoD), or channel matrix directly). The network entity105-athen produces the channel-response-based secret K as the output of a function which accepts one or more of the individual channel measurements as the inputs. The network entity105-a,in some cases, may securely share the parameter K with other UEs, such as the second UE115-b.In some cases, if the parameter K is produced by using only one UE's channel measurement, then the network entity105-adoes not send this parameter back to that UE (as it is already known). WhileFIG.2illustrates just the first UE115-athat is used to estimate a channel to obtain the parameter K, in other cases the network entity105-amay determine the parameter K based on measurements of multiple UEs115, and may share this parameter securely using sharing techniques as discussed herein. In other cases, the network entity105-amay use just the first UE115-ato determine the parameter and share the parameter with one or more other UEs115, such as second UE115-b,if PDCCH225transmissions are to be decoded by multiple UEs115. In still other cases, the network entity105-amay establish multiple different hybrid seeds with multiple different UEs115in accordance with techniques discussed herein.

For the network entity105-ato share the parameter K with an arbitrary UE115securely, the following procedure may be performed. This example is discussed with reference to the second UE115-band network entity105-ainFIG.2, although multiple other UEs115may use such a shared hybrid seed. In this example, the second UE115-bmay transmit a random phase φmin uplink signal240to the network entity105-a,which is only known by the second UE115-b,and each different UE115that receives the shared parameter picks up a different phase φmand/or sends it over a different beam each time it needs to learn the parameter K. The network entity105-areceives the transmitted phase as θg=φm+θm2gwhere θm2gis the phase rotation due to the RF front-end and propagation over channel, and measured as {circumflex over (θ)}g. The parameter K may be modulated at the network entity105-aby a function to obtain the discrete phase ϕ, which is then transmitted back to the second UE as ϕ−{circumflex over (θ)}gin downlink signal245. Even if an adversary measures the transmitted phase ϕ−{circumflex over (θ)}g, it is unable to learn the phase ϕ (and hence the parameter K) since it does not know {circumflex over (θ)}g, which is a unique measurement at the network entity105-a.The second UE115-breceives the phase as ϕ−{circumflex over (θ)}g+θg2mwhich boils down to ϕ−φmby channel reciprocity between uplink and downlink, and accordingly obtains ϕ and learn parameter K, since the second UE115-balready knows random phase φm.

If the phase parameter ϕ is multiple-bits long, multiple frequency tones may be used in frequency domain for transmission. Due to any channel non-reciprocity (e.g., due to RF front-end calibration errors between the downlink and uplink) and error in estimating channel phase response, the measured ϕ−φmmight not be exactly equal to the actual one. For example, the transmit-receive pair may periodically exchange a probing packet set with a known phase parameter ϕ to quantify the error associated with the estimate for ϕ−φm. If the measured error is below a threshold, which might be set by dynamically or statically, transmission of K via the described sharing method is allowed, and is otherwise sharing may be suspended (e.g., for a preconfigured time period). In an example, the network entity105-amay append a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to the phase parameter ϕ (e.g., using additional tones in the frequency domain) to enable the second UE115-bto verify the accuracy of the received phase parameter and hence K, or otherwise send a negative acknowledgment (NACK). If the network entity105-areceives no NACK, then it assumes the second UE115-blearned the parameter K correctly. If the network entity105-areceives a NACK, it might either try resharing it following the same procedure, or suspend the transmission of the parameter K (e.g., for a preconfigured time period). Such techniques may provide hybrid-seed-based scrambling sequence that can be used either for PDCCH payload or DMRS sequence, or for both, or for any message transmission involving scrambling operations. Example scrambling sequence generation and processing for PDCCH and DMRS are discussed with reference toFIGS.3and4.

FIG.3illustrates an example of a hybrid seed based scrambling300for a physical channel payload that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, hybrid seed based scrambling300may implement aspects of wireless communication system100and wireless communications system200. For example, hybrid seed based scrambling300may be implemented by a UE115and a network entity105as described with reference toFIGS.1and2.

In this example, a transmitter (e.g., a network entity or UE), and a receiver (e.g., a UE or network entity), may perform signal processing based on the described scrambling sequence. For example, when transmitting a PDCCH (or other physical layer transmission), rate matching305may be performed to encode payload bits according to a modulation and coding scheme for transmission. The rate matched information may be scrambled according to a scrambling310function, and provided to a modulation block such as QPSK315block for modulation and then transmission via transmit circuitry (e.g., amplifiers, antennas, etc.). The scrambling310function may be based on a hybrid seed scrambling sequence provided by sequence generator function320. In various aspects, the sequence generator function320may receive hybrid seed inputs325, such as channel response-specific parameter335(K) and a UE-specific ID330(S). As discussed herein, the UE-specific ID330(S) may be, for example, a PCID (e.g., having 1008 possibilities), or a pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID (e.g., a 16 bit ID for 216=65,536 possibilities). The channel response-specific parameter335(K) may be an n-bit parameter (i.e., having 2npossibilities). Such techniques may provide a hybrid scrambling sequence that is, for example, at least 31 bits long, which may provide a robust sequence that is less susceptible to brute force attacks than a scrambling sequence based on a UE-specific parameter alone.

FIG.4illustrates an example of a hybrid seed based scrambling400for DMRS that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, hybrid seed based scrambling400may implement aspects of wireless communication system100and wireless communications system200. For example, hybrid seed based scrambling400may be implemented by a UE115and a network entity105as described with reference toFIGS.1and2.

In this example, a transmitter (e.g., a network entity or UE), and a receiver (e.g., a UE or network entity), may perform signal processing based on the described scrambling sequence. For example, when transmitting a DMRS (or other physical layer reference signal), DMRS generator405may generate a reference signal sequence in accordance with DMRS sequence generation techniques. Resource element (RE) mapping410may map the generated DMRS sequence to REs for transmission (e.g., via transmit circuitry). The DMRS sequence may be generated based on a scrambling sequence provided to the DMRS generator405by sequence generator function415. In various aspects as discussed herein, the sequence generator function415may receive hybrid seed inputs420, such as channel response-specific parameter430(K) and a UE-specific ID425(S). As discussed herein, the UE-specific ID425(S) may be, for example, a PCID (e.g., having 1008 possibilities), or a pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID (e.g., a 16 bit ID for 216=65,536 possibilities). The channel response-specific parameter430(K) may be an n-bit parameter (i.e., having 2npossibilities). Such techniques may provide a hybrid scrambling sequence that is, for example, at least 31 bits long, which may provide a robust sequence that is less susceptible to brute force attacks than a scrambling sequence based on a UE-specific parameter alone.

FIG.5illustrates an example of a process flow500that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow500may implement aspects of wireless communications system100, or wireless communications system200. The process flow500may illustrate an example of a network entity105-b,a first UE115-c,and a second UE115-d,that may perform hybrid seed-based scrambling of physical layer communications in accordance with techniques discussed herein. Alternative examples of the following may be implemented, where some processes are performed in a different order than described or are not performed. In some cases, processes may include additional features not mentioned below, or further processes may be added.

At505, the network entity105-bmay transmit a downlink reference signal to the first UE115-c.In some case, the downlink reference signal may be a DMRS that is transmitted with a DCI, where the DCI includes a bit or flag that is set to indicate that a channel-specific parameter is to be established for hybrid seed-based scrambling. At510, the first UE115-cmay transmit an uplink reference signal to the network entity105-b.In some cases, the uplink reference signal may be a SRS, and may be transmitted within a channel coherence time of the downlink reference signal. Transmission of both the downlink and uplink reference signals within the channel coherence time may help ensure that channel reciprocity holds and each entity may separately determine the hybrid seed without additional signaling.

At515, the network entity105-bmay determine the value of the hybrid seed. Likewise, at520, the first UE115-cmay determine the value of the hybrid seed. As discussed herein, the hybrid seed may be determined based on a UE-specific ID and a measured channel parameter based on the measured reference signal transmissions (e.g., as a function of S and K). At525, the network entity105-bmay transmit a PDCCH to the first UE115-c,where a payload of the PDCCH and an associated DMRS are scrambled based on the determined hybrid seed. The first UE115-cmay receive the PDCCH and decode the PDCCH payload using the determined hybrid seed and DMRS.

At530, the second UE115-dmay determine that the hybrid seed is needed for physical layer communications, and may select a random phase to initiate a seed sharing procedure. At535, the second UE115-dmay transmit an uplink signal based on the selected random phase to the network entity105-b.At540, the network entity105-bmay measure the received phase of the uplink signal from the second UE115-d.

At545, the network entity105-bmay determine a discrete phase offset value as a function of the measured channel parameter (e.g., f(K)). At550, the network entity105-bmay determine a downlink phase value based on the measured phase and the determined discrete phase offset value. At555, the network entity105-bmay transmit a downlink signal to the second UE115-dat the determined downlink phase value.

At560, the second UE115-dmay receive the downlink signal and measure the received phase. At565, the second UE115-dmay determine the hybrid seed based on a difference between the selected random phase and the measured received phase. Channel reciprocity may provide that the phase changes through the uplink and downlink channels are sufficiently similar that the second UE115-dcan reliably measure the phase difference to obtain the channel parameter and determine the hybrid seed. At570, the network entity105-bmay transmit a PDCCH to the second UE115-dhaving a payload and DMRS that are scrambled in accordance with the hybrid seed.

At575, each of the devices may determine to initiate a new hybrid seed determination and the processes of this example may be repeated to determine and share an updated hybrid seed. In some cases, a hybrid seed lifetime may be set based on a timer. Such a timer may be set to a predetermined value, or may be configured by the network entity105-b.In some cases, a value for the timer may be provided with PDCCH payload information that triggers a seed determination or is provided after measurements to determine the hybrid seed. In some cases, the value for the timer may be adjusted based on one or more factors, such as channel conditions, an amount of traffic, a number of UEs present that use the shared seed, or any combinations thereof.

The communications manager620, the receiver610, the transmitter615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager620, the receiver610, the transmitter615, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

In some examples, the communications manager620may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver610, the transmitter615, or both. For example, the communications manager620may receive information from the receiver610, send information to the transmitter615, or be integrated in combination with the receiver610, the transmitter615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager620may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager620may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. The communications manager620may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

By including or configuring the communications manager620in accordance with examples as described herein, the device605(e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver610, the transmitter615, the communications manager620, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for hybrid seed determination and sharing that provides physical layer security through additional randomness to the scrambling operation based on the uniqueness of the underlying physical layer channel. Such techniques may provide for more secure communications that are less vulnerable to attacks, and thereby enhances system reliability and utilization.

The device705, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager720may include a measurement manager725, a hybrid seed manager730, a scrambling sequence manager735, a decoding manager740, a phase offset manager745, or any combination thereof. The communications manager720may be an example of aspects of a communications manager620as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager720, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver710, the transmitter715, or both. For example, the communications manager720may receive information from the receiver710, send information to the transmitter715, or be integrated in combination with the receiver710, the transmitter715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager720may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The measurement manager725may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The hybrid seed manager730may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The scrambling sequence manager735may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The decoding manager740may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager720may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The phase offset manager745may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. The phase offset manager745may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. The measurement manager725may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value. The scrambling sequence manager735may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. The decoding manager740may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

FIG.8shows a block diagram800of a communications manager820that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager820may be an example of aspects of a communications manager620, a communications manager720, or both, as described herein. The communications manager820, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager820may include a measurement manager825, a hybrid seed manager830, a scrambling sequence manager835, a decoding manager840, a phase offset manager845, a phase measurement manager850, an error estimation manager855, an CRC manager860, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The communications manager820may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The measurement manager825may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The hybrid seed manager830may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The scrambling sequence manager835may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The decoding manager840may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

In some examples, to support receiving at least the first communication, the decoding manager840may be configured as or otherwise support a means for decoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS based on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed.

In some examples, to support generating the scrambling sequence, the scrambling sequence manager835may be configured as or otherwise support a means for identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters (S) associated with the scrambling sequence. In some examples, to support generating the scrambling sequence, the scrambling sequence manager835may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating the scrambling sequence based on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed. In some examples, the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the UE, a physical cell identification (PCID), or any combinations thereof, and where the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed.

In some examples, the scrambling sequence manager835may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining, responsive to an indication from the network entity or a timer expiration, a new scrambling sequence based on an updated physical layer channel characteristic measurement and associated determined hybrid seed. In some examples, the measuring the physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel uses a downlink reference signal associated with hybrid seed determination, and where the UE transmits an uplink reference signal to the network entity within a channel coherence time for determination of the hybrid seed at the network entity. In some examples, the measured physical layer channel characteristic is one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an angle-of-arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager820may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The phase offset manager845may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. In some examples, the phase offset manager845may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. In some examples, the measurement manager825may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value. In some examples, the scrambling sequence manager835may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. In some examples, the decoding manager840may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

In some examples, the first phase offset value is selected randomly from range of available phase offset values, a beam used to transmit the first communication is selected randomly from a set of available beams, or any combinations thereof, for each instance of a transmission of the first communication to the network entity.

In some examples, to support determining the discrete phase offset value, the phase measurement manager850may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a received phase of the second communication. In some examples, to support determining the discrete phase offset value, the phase measurement manager850may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value. In some examples, to support determining the discrete phase offset value, the phase measurement manager850may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the discrete phase offset value based on the difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value. In some examples, the second communication is transmitted via a set of multiple frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that is quantized by a set of multiple bits.

In some examples, the error estimation manager855may be configured as or otherwise support a means for estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the physical layer channel. In some examples, the hybrid seed manager830may be configured as or otherwise support a means for suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value. In some examples, the CRC manager860may be configured as or otherwise support a means for performing an CRC on a payload of the second communication based on the scrambling sequence. In some examples, the CRC manager860may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a negative acknowledgment to the network entity responsive to a failure of the CRC.

The communications manager920may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence.

Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager920may support wireless communication at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. The communications manager920may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence.

By including or configuring the communications manager920in accordance with examples as described herein, the device905may support techniques for hybrid seed determination and sharing that provides physical layer security through additional randomness to the scrambling operation based on the uniqueness of the underlying physical layer channel. Such techniques may provide for more secure communications that are less vulnerable to attacks, and thereby enhance system reliability and utilization.

The communications manager1020, the receiver1010, the transmitter1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager1020, the receiver1010, the transmitter1015, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

In some examples, the communications manager1020may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver1010, the transmitter1015, or both. For example, the communications manager1020may receive information from the receiver1010, send information to the transmitter1015, or be integrated in combination with the receiver1010, the transmitter1015, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager1020may support wireless communication at a network entity in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager1020may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE. The communications manager1020may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity. The communications manager1020may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The communications manager1020may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

By including or configuring the communications manager1020in accordance with examples as described herein, the device1005(e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver1010, the transmitter1015, the communications manager1020, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for hybrid seed determination and sharing that provides physical layer security through additional randomness to the scrambling operation based on the uniqueness of the underlying physical layer channel. Such techniques may provide for more secure communications that are less vulnerable to attacks, and thereby enhance system reliability and utilization.

The transmitter1115may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device1105. For example, the transmitter1115may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I/Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter1115may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter1115may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter1115and the receiver1110may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.

The device1105, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager1120may include a measurement manager1125, a hybrid seed manager1130, a scrambling sequence manager1135, an encoding manager1140, or any combination thereof. The communications manager1120may be an example of aspects of a communications manager1020as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager1120, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver1110, the transmitter1115, or both. For example, the communications manager1120may receive information from the receiver1110, send information to the transmitter1115, or be integrated in combination with the receiver1110, the transmitter1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager1120may support wireless communication at a network entity in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The measurement manager1125may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE. The hybrid seed manager1130may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity. The scrambling sequence manager1135may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The encoding manager1140may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

FIG.12shows a block diagram1200of a communications manager1220that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager1220may be an example of aspects of a communications manager1020, a communications manager1120, or both, as described herein. The communications manager1220, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein. For example, the communications manager1220may include a measurement manager1225, a hybrid seed manager1230, a scrambling sequence manager1235, an encoding manager1240, an error estimation manager1245, an CRC manager1250, a phase measurement manager1255, a phase offset manager1260, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) which may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity105), or any combination thereof.

The communications manager1220may support wireless communication at a network entity in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The measurement manager1225may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE. The hybrid seed manager1230may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity. The scrambling sequence manager1235may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The encoding manager1240may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

In some examples, the encoding manager1240may be configured as or otherwise support a means for encoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS of the first communication based on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed.

In some examples, to support generating the scrambling sequence, the scrambling sequence manager1235may be configured as or otherwise support a means for identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters of the first UE that are associated with the scrambling sequence. In some examples, to support generating the scrambling sequence, the scrambling sequence manager1235may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating the scrambling sequence based on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed.

In some examples, the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the first UE, a physical cell identification (PCID) associated with the network entity, or any combinations thereof, and where the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the first UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the first UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed. In some examples, the measured physical layer channel characteristic is one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an angle-of-arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

In some examples, the hybrid seed manager1230may be configured as or otherwise support a means for sharing the hybrid seed with at least a second UE. In some examples, to support sharing, the phase measurement manager1255may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a first phase offset value of a second communication from the second UE. In some examples, to support sharing, the phase offset manager1260may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a discrete phase offset value as a function of the hybrid seed. In some examples, to support sharing, the phase offset manager1260may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the second UE, a third communication using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and the measured first phase offset value. In some examples, the third communication is transmitted via a set of multiple frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that is quantized by a set of multiple bits.

In some examples, the error estimation manager1245may be configured as or otherwise support a means for estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the wireless channel. In some examples, the hybrid seed manager1230may be configured as or otherwise support a means for suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value. In some examples, the CRC manager1250may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining an CRC value of a payload of the first communication based on the scrambling sequence. In some examples, the CRC manager1250may be configured as or otherwise support a means for appending the CRC value to the payload of the first communication. In some examples, the CRC manager1250may be configured as or otherwise support a means for retransmitting the first communication responsive to an associated negative acknowledgment received from the first UE.

FIG.13shows a diagram of a system1300including a device1305that supports channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device1305may be an example of or include the components of a device1005, a device1105, or a network entity105as described herein. The device1305may communicate with one or more network entities105, one or more UEs115, or any combination thereof, which may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device1305may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager1320, a transceiver1310, an antenna1315, a memory1325, code1330, and a processor1335. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus1340).

The transceiver1310may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver1310may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver1310may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device1305may include one or more antennas1315, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). The transceiver1310may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas1315, by a wired transmitter), to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas1315, from a wired receiver), and to demodulate signals. The transceiver1310, or the transceiver1310and one or more antennas1315or wired interfaces, where applicable, may be an example of a transmitter1015, a transmitter1115, a receiver1010, a receiver1110, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., a communication link125, a backhaul communication link120, a midhaul communication link162, a fronthaul communication link168).

The memory1325may include RAM and ROM. The memory1325may store computer-readable, computer-executable code1330including instructions that, when executed by the processor1335, cause the device1305to perform various functions described herein. The code1330may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code1330may not be directly executable by the processor1335but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory1325may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The processor1335may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor1335may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor1335. The processor1335may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory1325) to cause the device1305to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications). For example, the device1305or a component of the device1305may include a processor1335and memory1325coupled with the processor1335, the processor1335and memory1325configured to perform various functions described herein. The processor1335may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code1330) to perform the functions of the device1305.

In some examples, a bus1340may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus1340may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of the device1305, or between different components of the device1305that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device1305may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager1320, the transceiver1310, the memory1325, the code1330, and the processor1335may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components).

The communications manager1320may support wireless communication at a network entity in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager1320may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE. The communications manager1320may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity. The communications manager1320may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The communications manager1320may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

By including or configuring the communications manager1320in accordance with examples as described herein, the device1305may support techniques for hybrid seed determination and sharing that provides physical layer security through additional randomness to the scrambling operation based on the uniqueness of the underlying physical layer channel. Such techniques may provide for more secure communications that are less vulnerable to attacks, and thereby enhance system reliability and utilization.

In some examples, the communications manager1320may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver1310, the one or more antennas1315(e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager1320is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager1320may be supported by or performed by the processor1335, the memory1325, the code1330, the transceiver1310, or any combination thereof. For example, the code1330may include instructions executable by the processor1335to cause the device1305to perform various aspects of channel scrambling techniques in wireless communications as described herein, or the processor1335and the memory1325may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

At1405, the method may include measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The operations of1405may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1405may be performed by a measurement manager825as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1410, the method may include determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The operations of1410may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1410may be performed by a hybrid seed manager830as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1415, the method may include generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The operations of1415may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1415may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1420, the method may include receiving at least a first communication based on the scrambling sequence. The operations of1420may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1420may be performed by a decoding manager840as described with reference toFIG.8.

Optionally, at1425, the method may include determining, responsive to an indication from the network entity or a timer expiration, a new scrambling sequence based on an updated physical layer channel characteristic measurement and associated determined hybrid seed. The operations of1425may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1425may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1505, the method may include measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity. The operations of1505may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1505may be performed by a measurement manager825as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1510, the method may include determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity. The operations of1510may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1510may be performed by a hybrid seed manager830as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1515, the method may include identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters (S) associated with the scrambling sequence. The operations of1515may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1515may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1520, the method may include generating the scrambling sequence based on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed. The operations of1520may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1520may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1525, the method may include decoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS based on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed. The operations of1525may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1525may be performed by a decoding manager840as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1605, the method may include transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. The operations of1605may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1605may be performed by a phase offset manager845as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1610, the method may include receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. The operations of1610may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1610may be performed by a phase offset manager845as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1615, the method may include determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value. The operations of1615may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1615may be performed by a measurement manager825as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1620, the method may include generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. The operations of1620may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1620may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1625, the method may include receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence. The operations of1625may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1625may be performed by a decoding manager840as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1705, the method may include transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value. The operations of1705may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1705may be performed by a phase offset manager845as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1710, the method may include receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, where the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel. The operations of1710may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1710may be performed by a phase offset manager845as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1715, the method may include measuring a received phase of the second communication. The operations of1715may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1715may be performed by a phase measurement manager850as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1720, the method may include determining a difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value. The operations of1720may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1720may be performed by a phase measurement manager850as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1725, the method may include determining the discrete phase offset value based on the difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value. The operations of1725may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1725may be performed by a phase measurement manager850as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1730, the method may include generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based on the hybrid seed, where the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function. The operations of1730may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1730may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager835as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1735, the method may include receiving at least a third communication based on the scrambling sequence. The operations of1735may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1735may be performed by a decoding manager840as described with reference toFIG.8.

At1805, the method may include measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE. The operations of1805may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1805may be performed by a measurement manager1225as described with reference toFIG.12.

At1810, the method may include determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, where the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity. The operations of1810may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1810may be performed by a hybrid seed manager1230as described with reference toFIG.12.

At1815, the method may include generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based on the hybrid seed. The operations of1815may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1815may be performed by a scrambling sequence manager1235as described with reference toFIG.12.

At1820, the method may include transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence. The operations of1820may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of1820may be performed by an encoding manager1240as described with reference toFIG.12.

Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications between the UE and a network entity; determining a hybrid seed for the communications between the UE and a network entity, wherein the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the UE and the network entity; generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based at least in part on the hybrid seed; and receiving at least a first communication based at least in part on the scrambling sequence.

Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein the receiving at least the first communication comprises: decoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS based at least in part on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed.

Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, wherein the generating the scrambling sequence comprises: identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters (S) associated with the scrambling sequence; and generating the scrambling sequence based at least in part on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed.

Aspect 4: The method of aspect 3, wherein the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the UE, a physical cell identification (PCID), or any combinations thereof, and wherein the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed.

Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1 through 4, further comprising: determining, responsive to an indication from the network entity or a timer expiration, a new scrambling sequence based on an updated physical layer channel characteristic measurement and associated determined hybrid seed.

Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein the measuring the physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel uses a downlink reference signal associated with hybrid seed determination, and wherein the UE transmits an uplink reference signal to the network entity within a channel coherence time for determination of the hybrid seed at the network entity.

Aspect 7: The method of aspect 6, wherein the measured physical layer channel characteristic is one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an angle-of-arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

Aspect 8: A method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: transmitting a first communication to a network entity via a physical layer channel using a first phase offset value; receiving a second communication responsive to the first communication, the second communication transmitted using a second phase offset value that is based at least in part on a discrete phase offset value and an estimation of the first phase offset value, wherein the discrete phase offset value is a function of a hybrid seed used for scrambling communications on the physical layer channel; determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on a measured phase of the second communication and the first phase offset value; generating a scrambling sequence for the communications on the physical channel based at least in part on the hybrid seed, wherein the hybrid seed is determined based on the discrete phase offset value and the function; and receiving at least a third communication based at least in part on the scrambling sequence.

Aspect 9: The method of aspect 8, wherein the first phase offset value is selected randomly from range of available phase offset values, a beam used to transmit the first communication is selected randomly from a set of available beams, or any combinations thereof, for each instance of a transmission of the first communication to the network entity.

Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 8 through 9, wherein the determining the discrete phase offset value comprises: measuring a received phase of the second communication; determining a difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value; and determining the discrete phase offset value based at least in part on the difference between the received phase and the first phase offset value.

Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 8 through 10, wherein the second communication is transmitted via a plurality of frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that is quantized by a plurality of bits.

Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 8 through 11, further comprising: estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the physical layer channel; and suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value.

Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 8 through 12, further comprising: performing an CRC on a payload of the second communication based at least in part on the scrambling sequence; and transmitting a negative acknowledgment to the network entity responsive to a failure of the CRC.

Aspect 14: A method for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: measuring a physical layer channel characteristic of a wireless channel used for communications with a first UE; determining a hybrid seed for the communications with the first UE, wherein the hybrid seed is a function of the measured physical layer channel characteristic of the wireless channel between the first UE and the network entity; generating a scrambling sequence for the communications based at least in part on the hybrid seed; and transmitting at least a first communication that is scrambled by the scrambling sequence.

Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, further comprising: encoding one or more of a control channel payload or a DMRS of the first communication based at least in part on the scrambling sequence that is generated from the hybrid seed.

Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 14 through 15, wherein the generating the scrambling sequence comprises: identifying one or more upper layer initialization parameters of the first UE that are associated with the scrambling sequence; and generating the scrambling sequence based at least in part on a function of the upper layer initialization parameters and the hybrid seed.

Aspect 17: The method of aspect 16, wherein the one or more upper layer initialization parameters include a scrambling ID of the first UE, a physical cell identification (PCID) associated with the network entity, or any combinations thereof, and wherein the measured physical layer channel characteristic is measured separately at the first UE and at the network entity and channel reciprocity of the wireless channel provides that both the first UE and the network entity obtain a same hybrid seed.

Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 14 through 17, wherein the measured physical layer channel characteristic is one or more of a phase measurement, a received signal strength, an angle-of-arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), a measured channel matrix, or any combinations thereof.

Aspect 19: The method of any of aspects 14 through 18, further comprising: sharing the hybrid seed with at least a second UE.

Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, wherein the sharing comprises: measuring a first phase offset value of a second communication from the second UE; determining a discrete phase offset value as a function of the hybrid seed; and transmitting, to the second UE, a third communication using a second phase offset value that is based at least in part on a discrete phase offset value and the measured first phase offset value.

Aspect 21: The method of aspect 20, wherein the third communication is transmitted via a plurality of frequency domain tones, and provides a discrete phase offset that is quantized by a plurality of bits.

Aspect 22: The method of any of aspects 14 through 21, further comprising: estimating an error of channel phase measurements for the wireless channel; and suspending communications based on the hybrid seed when the error of channel phase measurements exceeds a threshold value.

Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 14 through 22, further comprising: determining an CRC value of a payload of the first communication based at least in part on the scrambling sequence; appending the CRC value to the payload of the first communication; and retransmitting the first communication responsive to an associated negative acknowledgment received from the first UE.

Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 8 through 13.

Aspect 31: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 14 through 23.

The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing and other such similar actions.