Mobile Device Radio Signal Spoofing Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-GNSS based radio positioning systems, such as Bluetooth, WLAN, and cellular networks, are vulnerable to manipulation techniques like spoofing and jamming, which can deceive devices into determining incorrect positions, posing a threat to trustworthy positioning services like car sharing.

Innovation Solution

A method where a mobile device obtains radio signal parameters at two positions and uses sensor information to determine if the parameters are expected or unexpected, identifying potentially manipulated signals by comparing the parameters and movement data, and rejecting or flagging them for position estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-GNSS based radio positioning systems are used for indoor positioning, then positioning capability indoors is improved, but vulnerability to spoofing and jamming attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidspoofing and jamming attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting radio fingerprint observation reports from multiple mobile devices during a training stage before actual positioning. This creates a database of expected radio signal characteristics at different locations, which is then used to verify and detect manipulated signals during the positioning stage. The preliminary collection of authentic signal data enables the system to identify spoofing attempts by comparing them against the established baseline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring radio signal parameters and comparing them against expected values derived from training data and sensor information. When discrepancies are detected between actual and expected signal characteristics, the system can identify and reject manipulated signals. This feedback loop enables dynamic detection and mitigation of spoofing and jamming attacks in real-time positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If radio signal parameters are collected from multiple sources for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but difficulty in detecting manipulated signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddetecting manipulated signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the verification process into multiple independent checks: comparing radio signal parameters against training data, validating sensor information consistency, and cross-checking multiple observation reports. By dividing the detection task into separate verification stages, the system can identify manipulated signals more effectively without compromising positioning accuracy. Each segmentation layer adds an additional filter for detecting anomalies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a composite verification approach by combining multiple types of data (radio fingerprint observation reports, sensor information, training data) to form a comprehensive detection mechanism. This composite methodology integrates diverse information sources to enhance the ability to detect manipulated signals while maintaining positioning precision. The combination of different data types creates a more robust detection system than any single source could provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10935627B2Identifying potentially manipulated radio signals and/or radio signal parameters
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • US10935627B2 patent drawing
  • US10935627B2 patent drawing
  • US10935627B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method performed by a mobile device is disclosed that includes obtaining one or more first radio signal parameters of one or more radio signals at a first position of the mobile device and obtaining sensor information indicating a movement of the mobile device from the first position to a second position. The method also includes obtaining one or more second radio signal parameters of the one or more radio signals at the second position of the mobile device and determining, at least partially based on the first radio signal parameters and the sensor information, whether the second radio signal parameters are expected or unexpected for the second position of the mobile device. A corresponding apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.