HVDC Controller BIOS Integrity Checks for Program Tamper Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage direct current (HVDC) systems lack effective measures to ensure program safety against cyber attacks and hardware errors, which can alter programs stored in flash memory or ROM, compromising system security.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves loading and calculating eigenvalues of BIOS and OS programs, comparing them with pre-stored values, and stopping program execution if mismatches are found, with periodic checks and notifications to the upper level system to ensure program integrity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If program safety verification is implemented in HVDC controllers, then system security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing eigenvalues of programs in an upper-level system before deployment to the controller. This allows the controller to perform simple verification operations without complex verification algorithms, thereby improving program safety while minimizing the increase in controller complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an upper-level system as an intermediary that handles the complex tasks of eigenvalue calculation and storage. The controller communicates with this intermediary system to verify program integrity, thus achieving program safety verification without burdening the controller with excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If eigenvalue verification is performed for every program execution, then program integrity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eigenvalues of programs are pre-calculated and stored in the upper-level system before the controller executes the programs. This preliminary preparation enables the controller to perform rapid verification by simply comparing current program eigenvalues against pre-stored values, thereby ensuring program integrity while minimizing verification time.
3Reliability
If program verification mechanisms are added to HVDC controllers, then system security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically performs program verification by calculating its own program eigenvalues and comparing them against pre-stored values from the upper-level system. This self-service mechanism ensures system security without requiring manual intervention or complex operational procedures from users, thus maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If periodic eigenvalue calculation is implemented, then program alteration detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by calculating program eigenvalues at specific intervals (e.g., when power is applied or at scheduled times) rather than continuously. This periodic verification approach ensures program alteration detection while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when no verification is performed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing the program safety of an HVDC system according to the present invention comprises the steps of: calculating, by a controller of the HVDC system, a BIOS program eigenvalue after loading a BIOS when power is applied; receiving, by the controller, a BIOS program eigenvalue of the controller prestored in a higher system of the controller; and comparing the BIOS program eigenvalue calculated in the controller and the BIOS program eigenvalue prestored in the higher system so as to identify whether or not the eigenvalues are identical and, if the eigenvalues are not identical, stopping execution of a program and notifying the higher system that the eigenvalues are not identical.