PEPS Mobile De-whitening for Secure Long-Range BLE Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional passive entry/passive start (PEPS) systems using low-frequency signals face limitations in range and are vulnerable to wireless attacks, such as eavesdropping and replay attacks, making it difficult to securely authenticate and communicate with portable devices beyond a few meters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a PEPS system using a consumer-grade wireless protocol like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for communication between vehicles and portable devices, which includes cryptographic operations to prevent unauthorized access and includes a cryptographic verification module to authenticate messages and prevent replay attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If low frequency signals are used for PEPS communication, then location estimation accuracy is improved, but communication range is limited to a few meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines low frequency signals (for accurate location estimation) with ultrawideband signals (for extended communication range) in a hybrid PEPS system. The low frequency component provides precise location estimation within 2 meters, while the ultrawideband component extends the communication range beyond a few meters, allowing the system to benefit from both signal types simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If traditional PEPS systems are used, then keyless entry functionality is provided, but the system is vulnerable to wireless attacks such as eavesdropping and replay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by incorporating cryptographic verification mechanisms before authentication. The system uses message authentication codes (MACs) and nonces to prevent replay attacks, and employs encryption to protect against eavesdropping. These security measures are built into the authentication protocol beforehand, preventing malicious attacks before they can compromise the keyless entry functionality.
3Length of moving object
If smart devices are used as key fobs, then communication range is extended, but wireless vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cryptographic protocols as an intermediary layer between the smart device and the vehicle's PEPS system. This intermediary layer provides security functions including message authentication, encryption, and replay attack prevention, thereby protecting the extended-range communication from wireless vulnerabilities while maintaining the benefits of long-range communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed and include receiving, with a peripheral device, a message packet from a portable device, the message packet including an authenticated packet with a de-whitened tone byte inserted therein. The portable device generates first message authentication code (MAC) bytes based on a shared secret key and generates the authenticated packet based on the first MAC bytes, first nonce bytes, and a message byte. The peripheral device validates the message packet in response to determining that the first MAC bytes match second MAC bytes and that the first nonce bytes match second nonce bytes. The peripheral device generates a reconstructed message packet in response to validating the message packet by removing the de-whitened tone byte from the authenticated packet. The communication gateway establishes a communication link between the portable device and the communication gateway in response to receiving the reconstructed message packet.