Dynamic Frequency Allocation for Vehicle Anti-Theft Relay Attack Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive Keyless Entry Systems (PKES) are vulnerable to relay attacks, compromising vehicle security by allowing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that dynamically allocates a calculation factor to adjust frequency values of low-frequency and high-frequency signals between a vehicle and a smart key, enabling secure communication by switching channels to receive and transmit signals within predefined distances, thereby enhancing anti-theft security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PKES uses fixed frequency signals for communication, then the system is simple to implement, but it becomes vulnerable to relay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency allocation where the vehicle and smart key continuously adjust their operating frequencies based on a shared calculation factor. Instead of using fixed frequencies, the system dynamically modifies the carrier frequencies of both low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) signals by adding a dynamically generated offset value, ensuring that only the authorized pair can communicate successfully
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter of the communication signals by introducing a dynamically calculated frequency offset. The vehicle and smart key both modify their transmitted signal frequencies by adding the same calculation factor to their respective base frequencies, creating a synchronized frequency shift that prevents relay attacks while maintaining communication simplicity
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle and smart key communicate over long distances, then the convenience of access is improved, but the system becomes more susceptible to relay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary distance verification by measuring the time of flight (ToF) of signals between the vehicle and smart key before allowing authentication to proceed. This preliminary check ensures that the physical distance is within the predefined safe range, preventing relay attacks that would require extending the communication distance beyond authorized limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the vehicle and smart key continuously monitor signal strength, time of flight, and frequency synchronization. Based on this feedback, the system can detect anomalies indicating relay attacks and terminate communication, while still allowing normal long-distance access when the feedback parameters indicate legitimate use
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
The solution effectively prevents relay attacks by ensuring secure communication between the vehicle and smart key, ensuring only authorized access and improving the overall anti-theft security of the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle transmitting the low-frequency signals and the smart key returning the high-frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
the smart key returning the high-frequency signals after receiving the low frequency signals
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for anti-theft is provided. The method is running to a vehicle. The control method includes: allocating a calculation factor dynamically; calculating a high-frequency compensation value according to the calculation factor; adding the high-frequency compensation value to a frequency value of the high-frequency signal to obtain a first frequency value of the high-frequency signal; switching a high-frequency receive unit to a new channel being able to receive a high-frequency signal having a frequency value that is equal to the first frequency value of the high-frequency signal; receiving a high-frequency signal when a frequency value of the high-frequency signal is equal to the first frequency value of the high-frequency signal; and unlocking the vehicle according to the high-frequency signal.