Link-Layer Frame Encryption With Automatic Counter Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for encrypting data exchanged between nodes in a computing system introduce latency and lack authentication mechanisms, particularly when reestablishing connections, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transmission of unencrypted training frames scrambled by a counter, followed by encryption using an encrypted counter block, and subsequent transmission of a control signal to synchronize counters between a transmitter and receiver, ensuring secure and efficient data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional encryption methods are used to protect data transmitted through connections, then data security is improved, but transmission latency increases due to additional encryption time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing counter retraining and synchronization during link reestablishment events rather than continuously. The system trains the counter during link setup and maintains synchronization state, avoiding redundant retraining operations during normal data transmission. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for continuous encryption/decryption operations during data transmission, thereby reducing latency while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically maintaining counter synchronization between transmitter and receiver without requiring continuous external intervention. The automatic locking mechanism uses the receiver's counter output to feed back into the transmitter's counter, creating a self-synchronizing system that maintains encryption keys without additional processing overhead during data transmission.
2Reliability
If conventional encryption methods are used for data transmission, then data protection is improved, but authentication mechanisms are insufficient for verifying exchanged data integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the receiver's counter output to automatically adjust and resync the transmitter's counter. This feedback mechanism ensures that both ends maintain identical counter states for encryption/decryption operations. The system continuously monitors and adjusts counter synchronization based on received data, providing authentication through the feedback loop that verifies data integrity and prevents unauthorized access.
3Reliability
If link reestablishment occurs frequently in the computing system, then connection reliability is improved, but counter retraining overhead increases and authentication becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs counter retraining as a preliminary action during link reestablishment events. By preparing and synchronizing counters at the moment of connection recovery, the system avoids the need for continuous retraining during normal operation. This preliminary synchronization reduces the complexity of subsequent data transmission and eliminates authentication overhead during regular operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking mechanism provides self-service by maintaining counter synchronization automatically during link reestablishment without requiring manual intervention or complex authentication protocols. The system uses the receiver's counter output to automatically resync the transmitter's counter, creating a self-healing mechanism that handles connection reliability issues without increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for encrypting frames transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver includes transmitting unencrypted training frames of a set from the transmitter to the receiver, with each training frame scrambled prior to transmission on an output of a counter of the transmitter and a training frame, where each scrambled training frame is unencrypted. A control signal from the transmitter is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver after the training frames. After transmitting the control signal to the receiver, a frame modified to include error detection information is encrypted using an encrypted counter block that is generated from the output of the counter. The encrypted modified frame is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver.