Network Node Location via Secure Private Network Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation industry faces challenges in securely determining the location of mobile and static network nodes within communications networks, particularly due to vulnerabilities in communication systems that can be exploited by unauthorized access, leading to security breaches and denial-of-service attacks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining the location of network nodes using device identifiers based on user-configurable and non-user-configurable parameters, establishing secure private networks, and combining triangulation techniques with GPS data to ensure secure communication and location determination, while preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation techniques are implemented to determine location of network nodes, then location determination capability is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized access and security breaches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces secure private networks (SPNs) as intermediaries between mobile nodes and the triangulation system. These SPNs act as secure communication channels that mediate the location determination process, allowing triangulation to proceed while blocking unauthorized access attempts. The SPN serves as a trusted intermediary that verifies device identifiers and encrypts communication, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling location tracking and preventing security breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication of device identifiers before allowing participation in triangulation. By pre-verifying that mobile nodes have authorized identifiers and establishing SPNs in advance, the system prevents unauthorized devices from exploiting the triangulation system. This preliminary security check eliminates the vulnerability while preserving the location determination capability.
2Reliability
If secure private networks are established to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile nodes automatically perform device identifier verification and SPN establishment without requiring manual configuration or user intervention. The system self-manages the security protocols, automatically authenticating devices and creating secure channels. This automation reduces the operational complexity burden on users while maintaining high security standards through consistent enforcement of authentication procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
As system for locating a network node may be implemented as a static network device for determining location of a mobile node. The system includes a transceiver for receiving a device identifier over a public network from the mobile node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the mobile node, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and to memory containing executable code. When executed, the code effects method steps for: accessing, in response to the transceiver receiving the device identifier, a database of authorized device identifiers corresponding to known mobile nodes, establishing, in response to the device identifier matching one of the authorized device identifiers, a secure private network with the mobile node, and communicating with two additional static network devices, the three static network devices implementing triangulation to determine a location of the mobile node.