Communication Pulse Authentication Using Frequency Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Embedded electrical and computing systems, such as those in aircraft control systems, are vulnerable to hostile cyberattacks due to inadequate encryption methods that consume significant processing resources and cannot meet the time constraints for secure data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of frequency encryption techniques, where a data authentication pulse is superimposed on communication signals using a pseudo random sequence, allowing for rapid and secure data authentication with reduced processor consumption, making it suitable for real-time applications like aircraft control systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional encryption methods are used, then data security is improved, but processing time increases and processor consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication function from traditional encryption by using a separate authentication pulse that is superimposed on the communication signal. This authentication pulse contains authentication data that can be independently verified, allowing the main communication data to be transmitted without heavy encryption processing, thus reducing processing time while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication signal is segmented into two parts: the main communication data and the authentication pulse. The authentication pulse is a distinct component that carries authentication information separately from the primary data, enabling parallel processing and verification, which reduces the overall processing time required for secure communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional encryption methods are used, then data security is improved, but processor consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidprocessor consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication function is extracted from the main encryption process and implemented as a separate authentication pulse generation and verification mechanism. This separates the computationally intensive encryption operations from the authentication operations, allowing the authentication pulse to be generated and verified with minimal processor consumption while maintaining data security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication pulse is designed to be self-verifying through correlation processing. The receiver uses the known authentication sequence to directly correlate with the received signal and determine authenticity without requiring complex decryption operations, enabling the system to verify authentication with minimal processor consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If hardware-based encryption is implemented, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex software-based encryption algorithms with a hardware-based pulse generation and correlation system. The authentication pulse is generated using hardware timers and signal generators, and verification is performed through hardware correlation processing, which provides faster processing speeds while keeping the hardware architecture relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the authentication approach from cryptographic key-based verification to time-based pulse position and width modulation. By encoding authentication information in the temporal parameters (position and duration) of the authentication pulse rather than in cryptographic keys, the system achieves fast hardware-based verification without requiring complex cryptographic hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3678311A1Frequency encryption for communication signals
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 ROLLS ROYCE CORP
  • EP3678311A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3678311A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3678311A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A receiver in a communication system may include a buffer and hardware. The buffer may be configured to store a communication signal comprising one or more pulses representative of data. The hardware may be configured to determine whether a data authentication pulse has been superimposed over at least one of the one or more pulses, and authenticate, based on the determination of whether the data authentication pulse has been superimposed over at least one of the one or more pulses, the one or more pulses as a valid representation of the data.