Gateway Authentication for Heterogeneous In-Vehicle Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vehicle device authentication systems lack the ability to authenticate and securely communicate among devices with vastly different communication and processing capabilities, particularly across heterogeneous networks such as CAN, LIN, MOST, and Ethernet, as existing solutions are inadequate for devices that can only send data, perform symmetric-key cryptography, or do not support IP protocols.
Innovation Solution
A gateway apparatus and method that locally authenticates and distributes secure communication keys to in-vehicle devices with varying capabilities, allowing them to use individualized authentication and communication methods matching their capabilities, and forms secure communication groups to enable secure communication across different network types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If application-layer authentication mechanisms like seed-key method are used for CAN buses, then access control to ECU firmware is improved, but authentication of all types of in-vehicle networks including sensors and devices incapable of sophisticated cryptographic operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system into multiple layers: MAC layer authentication for basic device identification and application layer authentication for higher-level security requirements. This allows different authentication mechanisms to be applied to different device types and network layers, resolving the contradiction between firmware access control and broad network authentication support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an authentication proxy as an intermediary component that mediates between devices with limited cryptographic capabilities and the authentication server. The proxy performs sophisticated cryptographic operations on behalf of simple devices, enabling these devices to participate in secure authentication without requiring them to perform complex cryptographic functions locally.
2Reliability
If authentication mechanisms are designed for sophisticated devices, then security key derivation is improved, but support for devices that cannot perform cryptographic operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a capability-based authentication approach where devices self-identify their cryptographic capabilities during the authentication process. The authentication system then automatically selects appropriate authentication methods: full cryptographic authentication for capable devices and simplified authentication for incapable devices, eliminating the need for sophisticated devices to support incapable ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authentication parameters dynamically based on device capabilities. For devices incapable of cryptographic operations, the system uses pre-provisioned authentication credentials and simplified verification. For capable devices, full cryptographic key derivation and mutual authentication are performed. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between security strength and device capability support.
3Reliability
If centralized authentication servers are used, then device authentication is improved, but support for offline authentication and local security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested authentication architecture where offline local authentication credentials are embedded within devices, and the centralized server provides higher-level authentication and key management. The local offline authentication system is nested within the broader centralized system, allowing devices to authenticate locally when the server is unavailable while still benefiting from centralized security management when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary provisioning of authentication credentials and security keys to devices during manufacturing or initial setup, before the device needs to operate independently. This preliminary action enables devices to perform local offline authentication without requiring real-time connection to the centralized server, while the server remains available for initial authentication and key updates.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A gateway apparatus supports differentiated secure communications among heterogeneous electronic devices. A communication port communicates via communication networks of different types with two or more associated devices having diverse secure communication capabilities. The gateway logic selectively authenticates the associated devices for group membership into a Secure Communication Group (SCG), and selectively communicates Secure Communication Group Keys (SCGKs) to the devices having the diverse secure communication capabilities for selectively generating session keys locally by the associated devices for mutual secure communication in accordance with the group membership of the associated devices in the SCG.