IoT Data Obfuscation Using PRNG Stream Cipher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication and security algorithms for IoT devices, such as AES, require significant processing power, leading to reduced device lifetime, energy inefficiency, and often are not implemented due to power and space constraints, especially in small devices that lack hardware acceleration and face challenges with small payload sizes.
Innovation Solution
A data communications system that uses multiple obfuscation techniques, including padding and pseudo-random number generation, to securely transmit data between IoT devices and gateways, optimizing power consumption and processing efficiency while ensuring strong authentication and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AES encryption algorithm is used for IoT devices, then authentication and security are improved, but power consumption increases and device lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the encryption approach by transitioning from AES (which operates on 16-byte blocks requiring padding) to a custom stream cipher that processes data byte-by-byte or bit-by-bit. This parameter change eliminates the need for padding operations and reduces processing overhead, directly lowering power consumption while maintaining security for small payload sizes typical in IoT communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs lightweight cryptographic primitives that can be implemented with minimal hardware resources, effectively creating a 'cheap' encryption solution suitable for resource-constrained IoT devices. The stream cipher uses simple XOR operations and small state machines that consume significantly less power than AES hardware acceleration, making security accessible even for battery-powered devices with limited energy budgets.
2Reliability
If AES encryption algorithm is used for IoT devices, then authentication and security are improved, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the computational parameters by replacing AES's complex substitution-permutation network with a simple linear feedback shift register (LFSR) based stream cipher. The encryption reduces to repeated XOR operations with a pseudo-random key stream, requiring minimal CPU cycles and no complex arithmetic, thus dramatically reducing processing power requirements while maintaining adequate security for IoT applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical complexity of AES instruction sets with simpler logical operations. Instead of requiring specialized AES hardware acceleration or complex software implementations, the solution uses basic logic gates and register operations that can be executed on any minimal IoT processor, effectively replacing a complex mechanical system with a simpler logical equivalent.
3Reliability
If AES encryption algorithm is used for IoT devices, then authentication and security are improved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the encryption implementation by eliminating the need for AES-specific instruction sets and large lookup tables. The stream cipher implementation requires only small registers and simple combinational logic, reducing the silicon area footprint significantly. This makes security feasible for ultra-small IoT devices with limited board space and minimal hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a lightweight security solution that can be implemented with minimal hardware overhead, effectively providing security as an affordable add-on for small IoT devices. The compact stream cipher implementation fits within the resource constraints of tiny devices, making security accessible even for the most constrained IoT applications with limited area and power budgets.
4Reliability
If AES encryption algorithm is used for IoT devices, then authentication and security are improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by implementing encryption that processes data in smaller units (bytes or bits) rather than fixed 16-byte blocks. This eliminates unnecessary padding operations and reduces the total number of processing cycles required for typical IoT payloads, directly decreasing energy consumption per transmission and thereby extending battery life for battery-powered IoT devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a low-cost security implementation that minimizes energy expenditure, effectively extending the operational lifespan of battery-powered IoT devices. The stream cipher's minimal processing requirements mean that security operations consume a fraction of the power compared to AES, allowing devices to operate longer between battery replacements or harvests without compromising security.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a computer-readable memory medium coupled to a processor is disclosed. The memory medium is configured to store instructions which cause the processor to retrieve a seed value, receive a digital bit stream, generate a stream of random bits, using the seed value as a seed to a pseudo random number generator (PRNG), wherein the stream of random bits contains at least as many bits as the digital bit stream, shuffle bits of the stream of random bits to create a random bit buffer, generate an obfuscated digital bit stream by applying a first exclusive OR (XOR) to the digital bit stream and the random bit buffer, wherein the obfuscated digital bit stream has the same number of bits as the digital bit stream, and provide the obfuscated digital bit stream to the communications interface.