Radio Device Barrier Function for Secure Testing Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing programmable radio devices, particularly those based on the SCA standard, face challenges in testing and diagnostics due to security barriers that prevent non-SCA compliant code usage and hinder access to lower operational layers for testing purposes.
Innovation Solution
A programmable radio device with a transceiver and loaded waveform, featuring a barrier function that allows access to executable commands across operational layers for testing and diagnostics, ensuring SCA compliance through compatible interfaces and a tunnel connection for unfiltered status feedback, while preventing unencrypted data exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier function is implemented to separate functional units and ensure security, then security is improved, but access to lower operational layers for testing and diagnostics is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunnel connection as an intermediary mechanism that allows test and diagnostic functions to access lower operational layers through the barrier function without compromising security. The tunnel connection acts as a controlled passage that enables necessary access while maintaining the protective barrier, resolving the contradiction between security and testability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the functional units into different operational layers separated by a barrier function, while simultaneously creating a dedicated tunnel connection for testing purposes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security through the barrier while providing controlled access through the tunnel, enabling both security and ease of operation for testing.
2Manufacturing precision
If SCA compliance is enforced through the barrier function, then standard compliance is improved, but non-SCA compliant code cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel connection serves as an intermediary that allows the radio device to interact with non-SCA compliant code or external testing environments while maintaining SCA compliance within the barrier function. This enables the system to enforce SCA standards for security-critical paths while still allowing necessary interactions with non-compliant code for testing and development purposes.
3Reliability
If the barrier function prevents direct access to encrypted functional units, then security is improved, but test scenarios require complex workarounds
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel connection provides a direct intermediary path from test scenarios to the encrypted functional units, eliminating the need for complex workarounds. This controlled access mechanism simplifies testing by providing a straightforward interface while maintaining security through the barrier function, thereby reducing device complexity in the testing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier function provides feedback on the status of access attempts, allowing test scenarios to understand whether access is granted or denied. This feedback mechanism simplifies testing by providing clear information about access status, eliminating the need for complex error handling and workarounds, while still maintaining security through the barrier.
4Stability of the object's composition
If functional units are separated into operational layers, then system organization is improved, but access to executable commands across layers is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel connection acts as an intermediary that spans across the operational layers separated by the barrier function, enabling access to executable commands in lower layers from upper layers. This maintains the stable, organized structure of the operational layers while providing the necessary cross-layer access for testing and diagnostics, resolving the contradiction between system organization and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The radio (1) has a transceiver with different waveforms. Separate functional units (5) are provided over addressable interfaces (3) and a barrier function (4). The interfaces are provided for test purposes and diagnostic purposes in multiple operational layers (6) arranged functional units. An outbound access to executable commands of a functional unit and a feedback over a status of the access is provided from another functional unit, which is authorized of the barrier function. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a system for starting commands in the radio with a transceiver and with a waveform (2) a method for the change of arbitrary commands.