GNSS Navigation Data Authentication via Terrestrial Assistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers face performance gaps in urban areas and are vulnerable to spoofing due to the lack of signal authentication, which affects the reliability of location-based services.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining and assembling navigation data from terrestrial apparatuses, including Galileo, to create a message authentication code that verifies the authenticity of the data, ensuring that only authentic navigation data is used for positioning, thereby preventing spoofing and enhancing the reliability of satellite navigation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If GNSS receivers use open service signals from satellites, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but vulnerability to spoofing attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of GNSS signalsVSAvoidvulnerability to spoofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that verifies the legitimacy of GNSS signals before they are processed by the receiver. This mediator layer checks cryptographic authentication data and signal characteristics to distinguish genuine satellite signals from spoofed ones, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating spoofing vulnerability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary authentication actions by pre-storing cryptographic keys and authentication data in the receiver. Before processing any GNSS signal, the system performs preliminary verification of signal authenticity using these pre-loaded credentials, preventing spoofed signals from being processed further

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If GNSS receivers operate in urban areas with blockage, then positioning capability is reduced, but signal authentication becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capability in urban areasVSAvoidsignal authentication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver continuously monitors signal characteristics, authentication data quality, and positioning accuracy. When signal conditions deteriorate in urban environments, the system adjusts authentication thresholds and requests additional verification data, maintaining reliable operation despite increased detection difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes authentication parameters such as verification thresholds, data request frequencies, and cryptographic key selection based on signal quality metrics. In urban blockage conditions, the system adjusts these parameters to accommodate weaker signals while maintaining authentication security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If navigation data is transmitted via terrestrial systems instead of satellites, then signal reliability in urban areas is improved, but data authentication becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reliability in urban areasVSAvoiddata authentication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges satellite-based authentication mechanisms with terrestrial transmission systems. The same cryptographic authentication protocols used for satellite signals are applied to terrestrial data transmissions, unifying the authentication process and avoiding additional complexity while improving urban reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3646551B1Enhanced use of satellite navigation system related data
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3646551B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3646551B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3646551B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A system obtains navigation data for Galileo from at least one terrestrial apparatus. The obtained navigation data corresponds to navigation data transmitted by a Galileo satellite. The system assembles assistance data comprising navigation data for Galileo and further data in an interrelated manner such that MACs included for the navigation data for Galileo is usable for verifying authenticity of the further data as well. The system transmits the information to a device, which verifies the authenticity of the included navigation data for Galileo based on the MACs. Only in case the navigation data for Galileo in the assistance data is determined to be authentic, it considers the further data to be authentic.