GNSS Time-Position Authentication Using Independent I/Q Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
GNSS signals are vulnerable to spoofing due to their unencrypted nature, leading to inaccurate position and time solutions that cannot be independently verified by third parties, posing safety and security risks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses in-phase-quadrature phase (I/Q) spectrum recording to derive an independent time and position solution, which is authenticated by comparing it with an overt solution, and recording this information in a distributed ledger for verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GNSS signals are transmitted in unencrypted form for public access, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but reliability and security deteriorate due to vulnerability to spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that verifies the authenticity of GNSS signals before they are accepted by receivers. This intermediary layer (authentication equipment) mediates between the unencrypted public signals and the private receiver, providing security without compromising accessibility. The intermediary derives independent time and position solutions and compares them with overt solutions to authenticate signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the verification parameter from trusting the overt signal directly to comparing independent derived solutions against overt solutions. By changing the authentication parameter from signal acceptance based on overt data to authentication based on matching independent and overt time/position solutions, the system maintains accessibility while improving security.
2Reliability
If third-party authentication of position and time data is implemented, then reliability and security are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is segmented into distinct functional components: receiving I/Q spectrum recordings, deriving independent time and position solutions, comparing with overt solutions, and making authentication decisions. This segmentation allows the complex authentication process to be broken down into manageable steps that can be implemented modularly, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the signal processing chain by deriving independent time and position solutions from I/Q spectrum recordings, separate from the overt signal processing. This copying approach allows verification without requiring additional physical hardware, as the independent solution is computationally derived and compared against the overt solution.
3Measurement precision
If I/Q spectrum recording is used to derive independent time and position solution, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The I/Q spectrum recording is performed in advance as a preliminary action, capturing the signal data before the authentication process begins. By pre-recording the I/Q spectrum data, the system prepares the necessary information for deriving independent solutions without adding processing time during the critical authentication moment, thus maintaining measurement precision while minimizing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations herein related to an authentication equipment (AE) that receives an in-phase-quadrature phase (I/Q) spectrum recording of a covert data sequence indicative of received spectra of a signal over which an overt data sequence is transmitted and an overt time and position solution. The AE derives from the overt data sequence. indicating a position and a time at which the position was derived. The AE processes the I/Q spectrum recording to derive an independent time and position solution indicating another position where the I/Q spectrum recording was recorded and another time at which the I/Q spectrum was recorded at the another position. The AE determines whether the overt time and position solution and the independent time and position solution are a match. The AE authenticates the overt time and position solution based on the overt time and position solution and the independent time and position solution being a match.