Blockchain Engine Shutdown Control for Secure Wireless Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerospace engine control systems are unable to securely shut down engines wirelessly, posing risks during failure events and potential engine uncontainment, as they rely on wired connections that can be severed, leading to unsafe and costly delays.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a blockchain-based system for secure wireless communication, where engine control commands are embedded in transactions with self-authenticating cryptographic signatures, ensuring only authorized parties can initiate engine shutdowns, and maintaining a record of engine operations for integrity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for engine control, then system reliability is improved, but vulnerability to physical damage (severed wires) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The engine control unit communicates with the engine over a wireless network, eliminating physical wire harnesses that can be severed during engine failures. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining control reliability through wireless protocols while eliminating vulnerability to physical connection damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless communication is used for engine shutdown, then vulnerability to physical damage is reduced, but security against hacking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security measures in the form of cryptographic authentication protocols before allowing engine shutdown commands. The engine control unit verifies cryptographic signatures and authentication tokens from wireless messages before executing shutdown. This preliminary anti-action prevents unauthorized hacking while enabling safe wireless communication, resolving the contradiction between wireless convenience and security concerns.
3Ease of operation
If manual engine shutdown is implemented, then control precision is improved, but response time during emergencies worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated engine shutdown protocols that are pre-configured and ready to execute immediately upon detecting failure conditions. The engine control unit monitors for failure events and automatically initiates shutdown sequences without requiring manual pilot intervention. This preliminary action eliminates the time delay associated with manual operation while maintaining precise control through automated protocols.
4Reliability
If cryptographic authentication is implemented, then security against unauthorized commands is improved, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cryptographic authentication functionality into separate dedicated modules within the engine control unit and message processing system. Rather than embedding complex cryptographic routines throughout the entire control system, the authentication logic is isolated into specific components that handle security verification. This extraction reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards for command authorization.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control method of starting and shutting down an engine, in which a processor receives a blockchain update comprising a first transaction with instructions to perform an engine startup or shutdown; the blockchain update is validated; an engine startup or shutdown is performed based on the validated blockchain update; where the engine startup or shutdown is delayed based on validating a predetermined number of subsequent blockchain updates, including a second transaction with instructions to perform the engine startup or shutdown.