Key Management Server for Aerial Engine Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently transferring and managing engine data from aerial vehicle engines to ground systems, particularly due to difficulties in secure key management and data communication across wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication unit is integrated with aerial vehicle engines to generate and manage encryption keys, enabling secure data transfer between remote computing devices and a ground system, using public and private keys for authentication and data verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual data retrieval is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and data availability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidkey management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a key management server as an intermediary component that automates the key distribution process. This server receives public keys from the wireless communication unit, stores them securely, and manages the authentication process between ground stations and the aerial vehicle, thereby enabling automated data transfer without requiring complex manual key management at each ground station

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary key exchange actions before data transfer occurs. The wireless communication unit transmits its public key to the key management server in advance, and the server pre-establishes authentication mechanisms. This preliminary setup enables subsequent automated and secure data transfers without requiring complex real-time key management during the actual data transfer operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated engine data transfer is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability is worsened due to wireless communication vulnerabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based authentication mechanism where the key management server receives the wireless communication unit's public key, verifies it against stored credentials, and provides authentication tokens back to the ground station. This feedback loop ensures that only authorized devices can transfer data, maintaining security while enabling automated operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The key management server acts as a trusted intermediary that mediates between the aerial vehicle and ground stations. It securely stores public keys, validates authentication requests, and manages the key distribution process, thereby ensuring reliable and secure automated data transfer without requiring direct trust between each ground station and the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If public key transmission is implemented, then adaptability is improved for different ground stations, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground system compatibilityVSAvoidkey management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by having the wireless communication unit transmit its public key to a centralized key management server that serves multiple ground stations. This single public key can be used for authentication with any authorized ground station, providing multi-functional compatibility without requiring each ground station to maintain complex individual key management systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The key management server serves as a universal intermediary that handles key distribution and authentication for multiple ground stations. It maintains a database of public keys and manages the authentication process centrally, allowing the aerial vehicle to communicate with different ground stations without increasing the complexity at each individual ground station

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10764747B2Key management for wireless communication system for communicating engine data

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for recording and communicating engine data are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for key management. The method includes generating a pair of keys, wherein one of the pair of keys is a private key, and wherein one of the pair of keys is a public key. The method includes transmitting the public key to a first remote computing device, wherein the first remote computing device transmits the public key to a second remote computing device. The method includes receiving a host key from the first remote computing device, wherein the first remote computing device received the host key from the second remote computing device. The method includes accessing the second remote computing device using the private key. The method includes verifying a request from the second remote computing device using the host key.