Certificate-Based Key Fob Pairing Without Secret Key Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional pairing of wireless key fobs and vehicles requires the transportation of secret cryptographic keys, which poses a risk of theft and necessitates expensive IT systems for security, as multiple key fobs are paired at dealerships without secure authentication methods.
Innovation Solution
A certificate-based authentication process using public and private key pairs, where a pairing device verifies the authenticity of key fobs and control units, generates secret encryption keys, and encrypts operational keys to securely pair devices without transporting secret information, employing protocols like elliptical curve Diffie-Hellman for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secret cryptographic keys are transported to dealerships for key fob pairing, then key fobs can be paired with vehicles, but the risk of key theft increases and expensive IT security systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The secret cryptographic key is extracted from the distribution chain entirely. Instead of transporting secret keys to dealerships, only public keys are distributed. The secret key remains exclusively in the vehicle, eliminating the security vulnerability of key transportation and storage at multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
A public key acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and key fob pairing process. The public key enables secure communication and authentication without exposing the secret key, serving as a safe mediator that eliminates the need for expensive IT security systems to protect secret key distribution.
2Ease of operation
If secret cryptographic keys are stored in multiple key fobs and delivered to dealers, then pairing functionality is enabled, but vulnerability to theft and unauthorized access increases
Solution Approach 1:
Asymmetric cryptography (public-private key pairs) is applied where the vehicle holds the secret key and the key fob holds only the public key. This asymmetric distribution of cryptographic materials enables easy pairing operations while preventing theft risk, as the public key cannot be used to derive the secret key or compromise security.
Solution Approach 2:
The secret key is extracted from the key fob entirely and kept only in the vehicle. The key fob contains only public keys and encrypted authentication data, which are useless for unauthorized access. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability to theft while maintaining pairing functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If secret keys are distributed to vehicle dealers for pairing, then key fob pairing can be performed at dealerships, but the cost of secure key management systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
Public keys serve as intermediaries that enable pairing operations at any location without requiring expensive secure key management infrastructure. The public key can be freely distributed to dealers and manufacturers, providing location flexibility while eliminating the need for costly IT security systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Public keys are treated as disposable, non-sensitive information that can be freely distributed without protection. Unlike secret keys that require expensive security infrastructure, public keys can be transmitted through ordinary channels, dramatically reducing IT system costs while maintaining pairing flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, in disclosed embodiments, includes an antenna, transceiver circuitry coupled to the antenna, a memory configured to store a first operation key and instructions, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to cause the electronic device to, in response to receiving a first transmission containing an encrypted version of a second operation key that is encrypted by the first operation key, decrypt the encrypted version of the second operation key using the first operation key to recover the second operation key, store the second operation key in the memory, transmitting, by a transmitter of the electronic device, a second transmission that contains the first operation key and a command.