Changing a codec or MAC size without affecting the encryption key in PacketCable communication

Abstract

A technique is described to change the codec or MAC (message authentication code) size in a packet security unit for PacketCable communications during realtime voice transmissions is described. An algorithm that provides fast RC4 key advancing to prevent MIPS (millions of instruction cycles per second) overflow is used to perform codec or MAC size changes. The invention is performed without changing the keying material, where the sender and receiver must continue the RC4 encryption process from its state prior to the codec or MAC size change. A sender needs to preserve continuity of the timestamp across a codec change, since the timestamp reflects realtime. Changing the codec or MAC size is likely to change the frame parameters. To preserve continuity of the RC4 state and the timestamp across the codec/MAC size change, the sender TX and receiver RX generates a new frame number. The new frame number is applied to the first frame generated by the new codec or MAC size.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.