BY G.KARTHIK REDDY(10BEC0308) M.CHETANA SRI KRISHNA(10BEC0321) R.

VAMSHIDHAR REDDY(10BEC0332)

 A3 algorithm is a validation process used in a

GSM network for authentication of the mobile user that is requesting service. The A3 algorithm is a mathematical process that combines a secret number (called Ki in documents) stored in the SIM chip and a second number that is transferred between the base station and the mobile station.

 The numerical result of the A3 algorithm

calculation is transmitted back to the base station. It is then compared to a previously internally calculated answer also using the A3 algorithm and the same two input quantities, in the base station controller or in the MSC. When the same matching result occurs for both the mobile supplied information and previously stored information, the customer has granted access.

 Authentication - Whenever a MS requests access to a network, the network must authenticate the MS. Authentication verifies the identity and validity of the SIM card to the network and ensures that the subscriber is authorized access to the network.
Ki - The Ki is the individual subscriber authentication key. It is a 128-bit number that is paired with an IMSI when the SIM card is created. The Ki is only stored on the SIM card and at the Authentication Center (AuC). The Ki should never be transmitted across the network on any link.

 RAND - The RAND is a random 128-bit number that is generated

by the Auc when the network requests to authenticate a subscriber. The RAND is used to generate the Signed Response (SRES) and Kc cryptovariables.
Signed Response - The SRES is a 32-bit cryptovariable used in

the authentication process. The MS is challenged by being given the RAND by the network, the SRES is the expected correct response. The SRES is never passed on the Um (Air) interface. It is kept at the MSC/VLR, which performs the authentication check.

A3 Algorithm - The A3 algorithm computes a 32-bit Signed Response (SRES). The Ki and RAND are inputted into the A3 algorithm and the result is the 32-bit SRES. The A3 algorithm resides on the SIM card and at the AuC.

1) The Mobile Station (MS) signs into the network. 2) The Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) requests 5 triples from the Home Location Register (HLR). 3)The Home Location Register creates five triples utilizing the A8 algorithm. These five triples each contain: a) A 128-bit random challenge (RAND) b) A 32-bit matching Signed Response (SRES) c) A 64-bit ciphering key used as a Session Key (Kc).

4)The Home Location Register sends the Mobile Services Switching Center the five triples.
5)The Mobile Services Switching Center sends the random challenge from the first triple to the Base Transceiver Station (BTS). 6) The Base Transceiver Station sends the random challenge from the first triple to the Mobile Station. 7) The Mobile Station receives the random challenge from the Base Transceiver Station and encrypts it with the Individual Subscriber Authentication Key (Ki) assigned to the Mobile Station utilizing the A3 algorithm. 8) The Mobile Station sends the Signed Response to the Base Transceiver Station.

9) The Base Transceiver Station sends the Signed Response to the Mobile Services Switching Center. 10)The Mobile Services Switching Center verifies the Signed Response. 11)The Mobile Station generates a Session Key (Kc) utilizing the A8 algorithm, the Individual Subscriber Authentication Key (Ki) assigned to the Mobile Station, and the random challenge received from the Base Transceiver Station 12) The Mobile Station sends the Session Key (Kc) to the Base Transceiver Station. 13) The Mobile Services Switching Center sends the Session Key (Kc) to the Base Transceiver Station.

 14) The Base Transceiver Station receives the Session Key

(Kc) from the Mobile Services Switching Center. 15) The Base Transceiver Station receives the Session Key (Kc) from the Mobile Station.
16) The Base Transceiver Station verifies the Session Keys

from the Mobile Station and the Mobile Services switching Center. 17) The A5 algorithm is initialized with the Session Key (Kc) and the number of the frame to be encrypted. 18) Over-the-air communication channel between the Mobile Station and Base Transceiver Station can now be encrypted utilizing the A5 algorithm.

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