Verification of cell authenticity in a wireless network using an extended time stamp

An apparatus comprising:

• an antenna;
• a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver operatively coupled to the antenna and configured to wirelessly transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the RF transceiver and configured to operate the RF transceiver to transmit:
• a first RF signal having encoded thereon a first time stamp, the first time stamp including a time-stamp value that indicates one or more of a calendar year, a calendar month, and a calendar day;
• and
• a second RF signal having encoded thereon an information block that includes a digital signature generated using the time-stamp value.

A method of making a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

• operatively coupling an antenna to a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna;
• and
• operatively coupling a processor to the RF transceiver, the processor being configured to:
• acquire a time-stamp value from a first time stamp encoded onto a first RF signal received by the RF transceiver, the time-stamp value indicating one or more of a calendar year, a calendar month, and a calendar day;
• and
• process a digital signature included in an information block encoded onto a second RF signal received by the RF transceiver from a base station to test authenticity of the base station, the test of authenticity being performed using the time-stamp value.

A method of making a network node, the method comprising:

• operatively coupling an antenna to a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive RF signals via the antenna;
• and
• operatively coupling a processor to the RF transceiver, the processor being configured to operate the RF transceiver to transmit:
• a first RF signal having encoded thereon a first time stamp, the first time stamp including a time-stamp value that indicates one or more of a calendar year, a calendar month, and a calendar day;
• and
• a second RF signal having encoded thereon an information block that includes a digital signature generated using the time-stamp value.