Secure Wireless Sensor Network for Aircraft Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft sensor networks face security threats due to the vulnerability of wireless communication systems, which can lead to data integrity and confidentiality issues, and require complex and weighty wired cabling for maintenance access.
Innovation Solution
A secure wireless sensor network is implemented using cryptographic keys for secure communication channels, with methods for re-keying and managing cryptographic keys to ensure data integrity and confidentiality, allowing secure communication between nodes and remote computing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired sensor system is used in an aircraft, then data integrity and confidentiality are guaranteed, but weight and design complexity increase due to cabling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables to transmit sensor data, the invention employs wireless transmission protocols to send data from sensors to the aircraft maintenance system, thereby eliminating the weight and complexity of cabling while maintaining data transmission capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements cryptographic parameters (encryption keys, authentication credentials) to change the security mode of communication. By transforming the communication from unsecured wireless to encrypted wireless transmission, the system maintains data integrity and confidentiality without requiring physical wired connections
2Reliability
If a wired sensor system is used in an aircraft, then data security is maintained, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical cabling infrastructure with a streamlined wireless communication architecture. Sensors communicate directly via wireless protocols to access points and processing units, eliminating the need for extensive cable routing, connectors, and physical infrastructure that complicate aircraft sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: data transmission, authentication, and encrypted communication all occur through the same wireless interface, reducing the need for separate dedicated wiring for each function that would be required in a wired system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cryptographic key management is implemented in wireless sensor nodes, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cryptographic key management operations from the individual sensor nodes and centralizes them in an external computing device. The sensor nodes only need to store and use simple authentication credentials, while key generation, distribution, and rotation are performed externally, reducing the cryptographic complexity burden on each wireless sensor node
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device that acts as a key management server between the wireless sensor nodes and the security infrastructure. This intermediary handles complex key generation, distribution, rotation, and revocation operations, shielding the resource-constrained sensor nodes from cryptographic complexity while maintaining strong security
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor network for use in an aircraft, including a plurality of wireless nodes. A first wireless node of the plurality of wireless nodes is arranged to communicate with at least one other wireless node of the plurality of wireless nodes. The communication is via a secure communications channel and is on the basis of a control message received at the first wireless node. The at least one other wireless node is arranged to perform an operation on the basis of the control message.