Automotive Device Authentication via Encryption Seed Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive devices, such as sensors and actuators, face challenges in authenticating genuine components within vehicle emission control systems, as they can be counterfeited or have variability issues due to manufacturing differences, leading to potential emission regulation non-compliance and increased complexity in identification and calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
An automotive device equipped with a memory that communicates an identification code and authentication code based on an encryption algorithm, which is verified by the engine controller, and also stores calibration information to ensure authenticity and correct operation, thereby preventing counterfeiting and variability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification codes and calibration information are stored in the automotive device for authentication purposes, then the ability to verify authenticity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional memory and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the identification code, calibration information, and authentication code into a single memory structure within the automotive device. This merging approach allows the engine controller to perform authentication by processing data already present in the device without requiring separate authentication hardware or external equipment, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automotive device performs self-authentication by containing all necessary authentication data (identification code, calibration information, and authentication code) within its own memory. The engine controller can verify authenticity using data from the device itself without requiring external authentication equipment, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If calibration information is stored in the automotive device to compensate for manufacturing variability, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the risk of counterfeiting and unauthorized modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by encrypting the calibration information and authentication code before storing them in the device memory. This pre-encryption prevents unauthorized reading, copying, or modification of the calibration data, thereby counteracting the risk of counterfeiting while preserving the manufacturing precision benefits of stored calibration information.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication code acts as an intermediary between the calibration information and the engine controller. It verifies the authenticity and integrity of the calibration data before the controller uses it, preventing counterfeit or modified calibration information from affecting system operation while still allowing precise calibration compensation.
3Ease of operation
If an external device such as a laptop computer is used to communicate identification codes to the engine controller, then the authentication process is simplified, but the cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automotive device performs self-authentication by containing all necessary authentication data (identification code, calibration information, and authentication code) within its own memory. The engine controller can verify authenticity using data from the device itself without requiring external authentication equipment, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the identification code, calibration information, and authentication code into a single memory structure within the automotive device. This merging approach allows the engine controller to perform authentication by processing data already present in the device without requiring separate authentication hardware or external equipment, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If encryption algorithms are implemented for authentication codes, then the security against counterfeiting is improved, but the processing requirements and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements encryption only for the authentication code and calibration information storage, rather than encrypting all device operations or using complex cryptographic protocols. This partial application of encryption provides sufficient security against counterfeiting while minimizing the processing power and computational complexity requirements for authentication.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method of authenticating an automotive device connected to an engine control system that stores an authentication code in memory of the automotive device that is generated by an encryption algorithm using an identification code of the automotive device as a seed value. The engine controller determines a verification code using a complementary encryption algorithm that also uses the identification code received from the automotive device as a seed value. The engine controller compares the authentication code to the verification code, and indicates that the automotive device is not authentic if the authentication code does not correspond to the verification code. Advantageously, authenticating the automotive device will be done autonomously by the engine controller without prompting by a technician using special equipment such as a laptop computer.