ADS-B Signal Authentication via Cross-Referenced Position Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system lacks a protocol for authenticating received signals, leading to uncertainty in aircraft identification and position information, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that cannot verify information through human senses.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that receives a first authenticated signal identifying a host aircraft and subsequently evaluates ADS-B signals for authenticity by matching identifiers and using aircraft type and position information to confirm the aircraft's location and velocity, providing an indication of signal authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ADS-B system is used for aircraft tracking, then aircraft position and velocity information can be broadcasted and received, but signal authentication capability is missing leading to uncertainty in information accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing authenticated position information from a first aircraft before evaluating subsequent ADS-B signals. This pre-established reference data enables later authentication of second aircraft signals without requiring complex real-time verification protocols, thus improving reliability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system acts as an intermediary between the broadcasted ADS-B signals and the authentication verification process. It receives signals from multiple aircraft, compares them against stored authenticated information, and provides authentication indications, thereby enabling reliable signal verification without requiring the aircraft themselves to perform complex authentication operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs operate without onboard pilots, then operational flexibility and cost are improved, but ability to verify ADS-B signal information through human senses is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system performs self-service authentication by automatically comparing received ADS-B signals against stored authenticated position information. This eliminates the need for human verification on UAVs while maintaining reliable signal authentication, thus preserving operational flexibility and improving reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/human verification process with an automated computational authentication mechanism. Instead of relying on human senses to verify signal information, the system uses algorithmic comparison of position data, thereby enabling reliable verification in pilotless UAV operations.
3Reliability
If authentication protocol is implemented for ADS-B signals, then signal authenticity can be verified, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing authenticated position information from a first aircraft before evaluating subsequent ADS-B signals. This pre-established reference data enables later authentication of second aircraft signals without requiring complex real-time verification protocols, thus improving reliability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a copy of authenticated position information from the first aircraft as a reference for verifying the authenticity of signals from the second aircraft. This copying approach allows authentication without requiring the original signal source to be physically present or verified, simplifying the authentication process while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, by a computing system, a first authenticated signal that (i) identifies a first position of a first aircraft relative to a host aircraft on which the computing system is located and (ii) includes a first identifier of the first aircraft, receiving, at a subsequent time, a second signal that is an ADS-B signal that identifies a second position, a velocity, and an aircraft type, where the second signal includes a second identifier, based on matching the first identifier and the second identifier such that the second signal corresponds to the first aircraft, using the first position and the aircraft type to confirm that it is possible that the first aircraft is located at the second position moving at the velocity at the subsequent time, and based on a confirmation that it is possible, providing an indication that the second signal is authentic.