Mobile Device Software Updates Via Secure Virtual Hardware Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software updates in automotive applications face challenges such as security risks from cyber attacks, data integrity issues, rollback vulnerabilities, and the complexity of updating multiple ECUs, with OTA updates posing hazards if compromised.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a virtual model of the hardware is used to simulate software updates, checking for malicious or erroneous content before applying it to the actual hardware, ensuring secure and safe updates by simulating operations on a 'secure virtual model' (SVM) to validate the software patch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security measures are implemented to protect against cyber attacks on software updates, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual model that performs preliminary validation of software updates before they are applied to the actual ECU. The virtual model simulates the update process and checks for malicious content in advance, preventing security issues from affecting the real system. This resolves the contradiction by performing security checks beforehand rather than adding complex real-time security mechanisms to the production system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the ECU that replicates its functionality for testing purposes. This copy is used to validate software updates without risking the actual hardware. By using a copy for security validation, the system achieves high security without adding complexity to the real ECU architecture.
2Reliability
If software updates are validated thoroughly before application, then security is improved, but update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model performs validation of software updates in advance before they are deployed to the actual ECU. By conducting thorough security checks and simulations beforehand, the patent ensures that only validated updates are applied to the real system, preventing security issues while maintaining efficient update deployment.
3Reliability
If a virtual model is used to simulate software updates, then security is improved, but computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the validation and simulation functions into a separate virtual model that operates independently from the actual ECU. This allows the computational-intensive validation process to be performed in a dedicated environment without burdening the production system's resources during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle, apparatus, computer program, a computer-readable data carrier, and method for updating software of a mobile device. The method comprises multiple steps by the mobile device including receiving an update file, updating, based on the update file, a software running on a virtual model of hardware of the mobile device, and checking a behavior of the updated software on the virtual model. Further, the method comprises updating, by the vehicle, based on the update file, software of the hardware of the mobile device based on the behavior of the updated software on the virtual model.