Engine Pressure Sensor Encryption for Unauthorized Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unauthorized modifications to vehicle engine systems, such as increasing engine torque by falsifying rail pressure, can lead to engine wear and warranty claims, necessitating a method to prevent unauthorized power output modifications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pressure sensor that encrypts and transmits pressure data to an electronic control unit (ECU), with parallel non-encrypted signals for verification, ensuring the engine system operates based on authentic pressure information, and entering a recovery mode if discrepancies are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine control system is modified to provide a false reduced rail pressure value to the ECU, then the maximum output power of the engine is increased, but the engine operates beyond designed parameters causing increased wear and potential product failure
Solution Approach 1:
An encryption intermediary is introduced between the pressure sensor and the ECU. The pressure sensor encrypts the rail pressure signal before transmission to the ECU, and the ECU decrypts it to obtain the authentic pressure value. This intermediary encryption mechanism prevents unauthorized modification of the pressure signal while allowing legitimate power increases, thus resolving the contradiction between power enhancement and engine reliability.
2Power
If the rail pressure is increased beyond designed parameters to increase engine torque, then the output power is increased, but warranty claims arise due to product failure
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the ECU continuously monitors the decrypted rail pressure signal and compares it with expected values. If the pressure exceeds safe operating limits, the ECU can trigger warning lights or enter protective modes. This feedback system allows legitimate torque increases while preventing harmful over-pressure conditions that would lead to warranty claims.
3Reliability
If the pressure signal is encrypted to prevent unauthorized modification, then the authenticity of pressure data is verified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption functionality is implemented as a software intermediary within existing ECU firmware rather than adding complex hardware encryption modules. The ECU's existing processor and memory resources are utilized to perform encryption and decryption operations, minimizing the increase in device complexity while ensuring data authenticity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a vehicle engine system is described. The method involves sensing a pressure in the engine; generating a signal indicative of the sensed pressure; encrypting the signal to generate an encrypted data message containing information indicative of the sensed pressure; transmitting the encrypted data message to an engine control means; decrypting the encrypted data message to obtain the information indicative of the sensed pressure; and controlling the vehicle engine system in dependence upon the information contained in the encrypted data message. A pressure sensor for use in the method, and a suitably programmed electronic control unit are also described.