Serial Bus Security Protocol Control Plane Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing serial bus systems, such as CAN-based systems, face challenges in efficiently signaling and managing different control plane aspects for security protocols, which limits flexibility and adaptability in cryptographic key management and communication security strategies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing data in a serial bus system that involves providing an indication characterizing aspects of a control plane for a security protocol, such as CANsec, and transmitting this indication on the bus system. This is achieved by using existing information elements in the security protocol headers, such as the Version Number or Add On Type fields, to accommodate the indication, thereby enabling signaling of control plane types and versions without altering the data format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing information elements in security protocol headers are used to accommodate control plane indications, then flexibility in control plane strategies is improved, but the data format remains constrained by existing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing information elements in the CANsec header (such as Version Number, Add On Type, and reserved bits) to serve dual purposes: their original functions and the new function of indicating control plane aspects. This multi-functionality approach allows the same data structure to convey both protocol version information and control plane type information without requiring additional header fields, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining format simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interpretation or values of existing header parameters to encode control plane information. For example, specific values in the Version Number field or Add On Type field are assigned to represent different control plane types (MKA, IBKA, etc.). This parameter change approach enables flexible signaling of control plane strategies by simply modifying how existing parameters are utilized, without altering the fundamental data format structure.
2Ease of operation
If control plane aspects are signaled without modifying data format, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to convey detailed control plane information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds control plane indication information within existing header fields by nesting the new functionality inside the structure of already-defined information elements. For instance, the control plane type indication is nested within the Version Number field or Add On Type field, allowing detailed control plane information to be conveyed through reinterpreting or combining existing parameter values rather than adding separate dedicated fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes previously unused or underutilized dimensions of the data format, such as reserved bits or unused portions of existing fields, to encode control plane information. By operating in this 'another dimension' of the data structure, the patent enables additional information conveyance without interfering with the primary data format functionality, thus maintaining ease of operation while reducing information loss.
3Device complexity
If existing header fields are reused for control plane indications, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of security protocol may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes clear predefined mappings and interpretation rules for using existing header fields to indicate control plane aspects. By performing preliminary definition of which field values correspond to which control plane types (e.g., specific Version Number values indicating MKA or IBKA), the patent ensures that both transmitter and receiver have advance knowledge of the encoding scheme, preventing misinterpretation and maintaining security protocol reliability while using simplified header structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements mechanisms where receiving nodes can verify the control plane indication against the actual control plane operation being performed. This feedback loop ensures that if there is any ambiguity or error in the reuse of header fields for control plane indication, the system can detect and correct it, thereby maintaining reliability even while using a simpler header structure that reuses existing fields.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing data associated with a serial bus system. The method includes: providing an indication characterizing at least one aspect of a control plane for a security protocol for the serial bus system, transmitting the indication on the bus system.