Hardware Security Unit for Multi-Protocol Data Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data processing devices lack effective cross-protocol security functions to manage and secure data exchanges between different communication protocols, such as CAN, FlexRay, LIN, and Ethernet, making them vulnerable to attacks and data traffic anomalies.
Innovation Solution
A device with at least two data interfaces, incorporating a security unit that performs cross-protocol security functions, including firewall, intrusion detection, and packet inspection, implemented partially or entirely in hardware, allowing for hardware-based filtering and monitoring across different communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software-based security functions are used for multi-protocol data processing, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but security reliability and processing speed deteriorate due to the computationally intensive nature of security operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments security processing into two distinct parts: a hardware security processing unit for time-critical security operations (filtering, intrusion detection, encryption) and a software control unit for configuration and management. This segmentation allows security-critical functions to execute in hardware for high reliability and speed, while non-critical functions remain in software, resolving the contradiction between security reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the hardware security processing unit and the software control unit. This intermediary enables coordinated operation where the software can configure and monitor the hardware security functions without directly interfering with their execution, allowing software-based ease of manufacture while maintaining hardware-based security reliability.
2Productivity
If software-based security processing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing speed and real-time security response deteriorate due to the computationally intensive nature of security operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based security processing with a hardware security processing unit that executes security functions through dedicated hardware circuits. This substitution of mechanical/hardware execution for software processing dramatically increases processing speed and enables real-time security responses, while the hardware unit is designed with modular architecture to manage its inherent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware security processing unit is designed to handle multiple communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay) and multiple security functions (filtering, intrusion detection, encryption) within a single integrated unit. This multi-functionality increases processing capability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the hardware unit is engineered to process different protocols and security operations through unified architectural elements.
3Reliability
If protocol-specific security processing is implemented, then security precision for each protocol is improved, but adaptability to handle multiple communication protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware security processing unit incorporates protocol-agnostic security processing mechanisms that can handle multiple communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay) through a unified architectural framework. The unit includes configurable filters and processing pipelines that can be adapted to different protocol formats while maintaining consistent security processing, thereby achieving both security precision and protocol adaptability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs configurable parameters and settings within the hardware security processing unit that can be adjusted to match different protocol requirements. By changing processing parameters, filter criteria, and security policies rather than redesigning the hardware architecture, the system maintains high security precision for each protocol while adapting to multiple protocol types, resolving the contradiction between security precision and protocol adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for processing data, including at least two data interfaces, a first data interface of the at least two data interfaces being designed to at least temporarily exchange first data with at least one first external unit according to a first communication protocol, in particular CAN and/or FlexRay and/or LIN and/or MOST and/or Ethernet, a second data interface of the at least two data interfaces being designed to at least temporarily exchange data with a second external unit and/or the first external unit according to a second communication protocol, which is different than the first communication protocol, the device including a security unit, which is designed to at least temporarily carry out at least one security function with regard to at least one of the at least two data interfaces.