Front-End Radar Circuitry Cryptographic Hashing for Data Authenticity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar-based data systems in automobiles face challenges in authenticating raw radar data to prevent unauthorized modifications, which are crucial for accident investigations and insurance purposes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of front-end radar circuitry that generates a digital data stream and provides a cryptographic hash using the data stream, timing information, and apparatus-specific data, with storage circuitry to store the hash for authenticity verification, and back-end processing to derive a target map and instruct additional data generation if the data stream is deemed unauthentic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cryptographic hash generation is implemented in front-end radar circuitry, then data authenticity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidcircuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the radar apparatus into front-end circuitry (generating digital data stream and cryptographic hash) and back-end processing circuitry (verifying authenticity). This segmentation allows cryptographic functions to be integrated at the appropriate level without overwhelming the entire system, resolving the contradiction between enhanced reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front-end radar circuitry generates the cryptographic hash simultaneously with the digital data stream during normal operation, before any potential data manipulation or analysis occurs. This preliminary cryptographic binding ensures data authenticity is established upfront, preventing later tampering while maintaining system reliability without requiring complex post-processing verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional processing is added to verify data authenticity, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata verificationVSAvoiddata processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a cryptographic copy (hash) of the original radar data that is computationally efficient to generate and verify. Instead of storing and processing multiple copies of the entire raw radar dataset, the back-end circuitry only needs to verify the cryptographic hash against the stored digital data stream, dramatically reducing verification overhead and maintaining high data processing productivity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If cryptographic functions are integrated into radar circuitry, then security is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front-end radar circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional radar signal processing, digital data stream generation, and cryptographic hash generation. By making the circuitry multi-functional rather than adding separate dedicated cryptographic hardware, the system achieves enhanced security while minimizing additional manufacturing complexity, as the same existing circuit components serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3736599B1Apparatuses and methods involving authentication of radar-based digital data stream using cryptographic hashing
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 NXP BV
  • EP3736599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736599B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3736599B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An apparatus in accordance with embodiments includes front-end radar circuitry and storage circuitry. The front-end radar circuitry generates a digital data stream that represents received radar wave signals and provides a cryptographic hash using the digital data stream, timing information, and apparatus-specific data. The storage circuitry stores the digital data stream and the cryptographic hash indicative of authenticity of the digital data stream.