Contactless IC Card Pulse Counting Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless IC card readers using protocols like 14443 and 15693 have security risks due to third-party interception and data alteration, as they consider response data valid within a frame waiting time, which can be exploited by malicious entities.
Innovation Solution
A data communication method and system where terminals record pulses corresponding to a communication carrier signal to improve timing accuracy, ensuring that response data packets are received and sent at precise moments, thereby enhancing security by terminating communication if data is intercepted or tampered with.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the card reader waits for response data within the frame waiting time (FWT) as per existing protocols, then the communication follows standard protocols (14443/15693), but security risks arise as third parties can intercept and return altered data within the same time window
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-agrees on a specific pulse number N during the initial connection phase. This preliminary action establishes a security parameter that will be used later to verify the timing of response data, preventing third-party interception without requiring complex protocol changes during data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the timing parameter from a fixed frame waiting time (FWT) to a dynamic pulse-based timing mechanism where the card reader waits for exactly N pulses of the carrier signal. This parameter change enables precise timing verification that detects intercepted data, as the modified data would arrive at a different pulse count.
2Measurement precision
If the card reader uses a fixed frame waiting time to receive response data, then the communication process is simple, but timing precision is insufficient to detect intercepted or tampered data
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the periodic carrier signal pulses as a precise timing reference. By counting the number of pulses N from the start of data transmission, the card reader achieves high-precision timing measurement that can detect even small delays caused by data interception, while maintaining efficient communication through the regular pulse rhythm.
3Reliability
If the card reader accepts any response data returned within the frame waiting time, then communication is fast and efficient, but data integrity cannot be guaranteed against third-party interference
Solution Approach 1:
The card reader implements feedback by counting the actual number of pulses received and comparing it against the pre-agreed pulse number N. This feedback mechanism verifies data integrity without adding significant overhead, as the pulse counting occurs naturally during the existing communication process rather than requiring separate verification steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves the reliability of data communication by ensuring that response data packets are received accurately and securely, even if intercepted, by leveraging high-precision timing to detect and prevent unauthorized data tampering.
Implementation Method 1
the communication data signal is obtained by the first terminal through modulating the data packet to be processed onto the communication carrier signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a data communication method and system. The method includes: a first terminal continuously generating a communication carrier signal; sending by the first terminal a communication data signal carrying a data packet to be processed, beginning to record the first number of pulses when the first terminal completes sending the data packet to be processed; receiving by the second terminal the communication data signal, beginning to record the second number of pulses when the second terminal completes receiving the data packet to be processed, generating a response data packet sending, by the second terminal, the response data packet to the first terminal when detecting that the second number reaches a pulse number threshold N; and allowing, by the first terminal, to begin receiving the response data packet when detecting that the first number is within a threshold range.