Backscatter Device Authentication Using RSS-Based Attacker Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly backscatter communication (BC) systems, face challenges in device authentication and attacker tracing due to limited energy and computational resources of backscatter devices (BDs), leading to vulnerabilities such as identity-based attacks and impersonation, with existing security solutions being inadequate for resource-constrained IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for physical layer enhanced authentication and attacker tracing using received signal strength (RSS) and backscattered signals to authenticate terminal devices and determine their location, employing adaptive multi-stage authentication and attacker positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If backscatter communication is used for low-power RFID, then power consumption is reduced, but device authentication and security become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by having the tag store a unique identifier (UID) and challenge-response mechanism before actual communication. The reader sends random challenges and the tag responds with pre-computed values, establishing authentication before data transfer begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reader as an intermediary that facilitates authentication between the low-power tag and the communication system. The reader handles the complex authentication protocols and key management, allowing the tag to remain simple and low-power while still achieving secure authentication.
2Device complexity
If simple low-power tags are used, then power consumption and device complexity are reduced, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tag performs self-authentication by generating its own response to reader challenges using stored cryptographic keys. The tag independently proves its identity without requiring external authentication services, maintaining simplicity while achieving security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the authentication parameters dynamically by using random challenges from the reader and computing responses based on current session keys. This prevents replay attacks and ensures that each authentication session is unique, enhancing security without increasing tag complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for physical layer enhanced authentication and attacker tracing based on positioning with backscattered signals. A method is provided for authenticating a terminal device implemented at a network node. The method comprises transmitting a radio frequency signal to a terminal device; and receiving, in response to the radio frequency signal, a backscattered signal from a terminal device, wherein the backscattered signal comprises identification information of the terminal device. The method further comprises measuring an RSS value of the backscattered signal; and authenticating the terminal device based on the identification information of the terminal device and the RSS value of the backscattered signal.