Backscatter Time-of-Flight Vehicle Proximity Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle communication systems are vulnerable to relay attacks and inefficient in collecting tire pressure measurements, as they rely on traditional wireless communication methods that can be manipulated and consume excessive energy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless backscatter with time-of-flight technology using wideband Wi-Fi communication between key fobs and vehicles to authenticate proximity and collect tire pressure data, ensuring secure passive-entry passive-start systems and energy-efficient tire pressure monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless communication methods are used for key fob authentication, then the system is easier to implement, but the system becomes vulnerable to relay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wireless communication protocols with backscatter communication technology. The key fob modulates Wi-Fi signals by reflecting them with different phases (0° or 180°) to encode authentication data, eliminating the need for dedicated wireless transmitters and improving security against relay attacks through physical layer authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication parameter from traditional wireless signal transmission to backscatter signal reflection with phase modulation. By measuring the time of flight of the backscatter signals and analyzing phase changes, the system achieves more reliable proximity authentication that is resistant to relay attacks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional wireless communication is used for tire pressure monitoring, then the system is simpler to implement, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TPMS sensors leverage existing Wi-Fi infrastructure for power and communication. The sensors harvest energy from ambient Wi-Fi signals and use backscatter communication to transmit tire pressure data, eliminating the need for dedicated power sources and reducing energy consumption while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single Wi-Fi communication infrastructure to serve multiple functions: key fob authentication, tire pressure monitoring, and potential future vehicle functions. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while improving energy efficiency across all vehicle communication needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances security against relay attacks by accurately determining key fob proximity and location, while enabling on-demand, energy-efficient tire pressure measurement collection.
Implementation Method 1
receive a backscatter signal from an electronic device. The backscatter signal is a reflection of the signal
Implementation Method 2
determine a distance to the electronic device based upon the backscatter signal
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for wireless backscatter with time-of-flight for vehicle communication. An example vehicle includes a communication module for Wi-Fi communication and a controller. The controller is to send a signal via the communication module upon identifying a passive-entry passive-start (PEPS) request and receive a backscatter signal from an electronic device. The backscatter signal is a reflection of the signal. The controller also is to determine a distance to the electronic device based upon the backscatter signal and perform the PEPS request upon determining the distance corresponds with the PEPS request.