Partial PRS Signaling to Detect 5G Positioning Attacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems are vulnerable to positioning attacks where attackers disrupt location-related services by monitoring and interfering with positioning reference signals (PRS), leading to incorrect location measurements by wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing partial position signaling by transmitting a first signal portion of the PRS and inhibiting the second signal portion to detect and prevent such attacks, using techniques like puncturing, preemption, or zeroing out the second portion of the PRS to identify and mitigate unauthorized interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the complete positioning reference signal is transmitted to enable accurate location measurements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to positioning attacks where attackers can interfere with the full signal
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning reference signal is divided into multiple portions (first portion and second portion). The base station transmits the first portion and inhibits transmission of the second portion. This segmentation allows the system to maintain positioning functionality while preventing attackers from interfering with the complete signal, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and attack vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station preemptively inhibits transmission of the second portion of the positioning reference signal before an attacker can interfere with it. By taking this preliminary anti-action, the system prevents positioning attacks from succeeding while still allowing devices to use the first portion for location measurements, thus protecting against harmful factors while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If the positioning reference signal is inhibited to prevent attacks, then security is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to incomplete signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the positioning reference signal into multiple portions and selectively inhibiting only the second portion while transmitting the first portion, the system maintains sufficient signal integrity for accurate positioning. This segmentation approach ensures both security (through inhibition) and accuracy (through partial transmission).
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs partial transmission of the positioning reference signal by sending only the first portion and inhibiting the second portion. This partial action is sufficient to maintain positioning accuracy while achieving the security goal of preventing attacks on the complete signal.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If devices receive incomplete positioning reference signals, then attack detection is improved, but the complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented signal structure with clearly defined first and second portions simplifies the detection process. Devices can identify which portions are transmitted and which are inhibited, making attack detection more straightforward rather than increasing complexity. The segmentation provides a clear framework for detecting missing signal portions that indicate attacks.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory media for detecting a positioning attack based on wireless position signaling. For example, a location server can determine a positioning reference signal having at least a first signal portion and at least a second signal portion. An indication of a positioning attack associated with the positioning reference signal can be obtained. The location server can provide, to a base station, a message of transmission preemption of the second signal portion of the positioning reference signal based on the indication of the positioning attack.