Mobile Key Unit Dual Channel Secure Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile key units for reading and writing data in safety-directed devices lack versatility and secure communication capabilities, particularly in industrial settings where secure and efficient data transmission is crucial for preventing unsafe machine operations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile key unit with dual transmission/reception channels, one for secure data transmission using a microcontroller-based evaluation unit and another for insecure data, allowing for wireless communication with external devices, including RFID technology for robustness and energy efficiency, and a key station for authorized access and data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single transmission/reception unit is used in mobile key units, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but security reliability and communication robustness deteriorate due to lack of redundant channels for verification
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission/reception functionality is segmented into separate channels: a first secure channel for authenticated data transmission and a second monitoring channel for receiving monitoring data. This segmentation allows independent verification paths, improving security reliability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
A monitoring device acts as an intermediary between the mobile key unit and external systems. The monitoring device receives monitoring data via the second channel, enabling indirect verification of transmission integrity without requiring direct complex verification mechanisms in the mobile key unit itself
2Reliability
If dual-channel architecture with monitoring is implemented, then security reliability and communication robustness are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring functionality is merged into the mobile key unit architecture, with the monitoring channel integrated alongside the secure channel. This merging allows shared hardware resources and streamlined manufacturing processes while maintaining dual-channel communication robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile key unit is designed with multi-functional capabilities, where the same evaluation unit processes both secure channel data and monitoring channel data. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby easing manufacturing while maintaining communication robustness
3Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used for data communication, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but security risks and vulnerability to unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication and authorization checks are performed preliminarily before data transmission through the secure channel. The mobile key unit verifies user credentials and device permissions in advance, establishing secure communication parameters before actual data exchange, thus maintaining ease of wireless operation while preventing unauthorized access
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances security and operational efficiency by ensuring only authorized personnel can initiate data transmission, preventing unsafe machine startups and allowing for secure, bidirectional data exchange even in harsh environments, while maintaining device safety through redundant data storage and verification.
Implementation Method 1
The RFID transmission/reception unit (5, 10) are used in transmitter/receiver system for the automatic and contactless identification and/or localization of RFID transponders using radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system having a mobile key unit (2) for reading and writing data from at least one external device (3) of a facility (4), wherein the data at least comprise identification data for the device (3) to be checked, and wherein the mobile key unit (2) has a first transmission/reception unit (5) by means of which the data can be transmitted wirelessly between the device (3) and the key unit (2), wherein the key unit (2) has a first memory (6), the key unit (2) has at least one secure channel (7) having a first evaluation unit (8) and the first transmission/reception unit (5) and has at least one second channel (12) having a second evaluation unit (13) and a second transmission/reception unit (10) by means of which data can be wirelessly transferred between the device (3) and the key device (2), wherein the data can at least be transmitted using one of the transmission/reception units.