Software-Defined Radio Cybersecurity for Air Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software-defined radios used in air traffic control are vulnerable to manipulation, shutdown, or disruption by attackers who infiltrate the communication network, posing risks to radio communication and flight safety.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined radio equipped with processing circuitry, a high-frequency transceiver, network interfaces, a VoIP module, a webserver, and multiple security mechanisms to protect against threats and cyber-attacks, including firewalls, redundancy, restricted access rights, encrypted communication, and user authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-defined radio is used in air traffic control communication network, then communication flexibility and functionality are improved, but vulnerability to cyber-attacks and manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software-defined radio system is segmented into multiple independent security domains including network interface layer, application layer (VoIP, webserver), and security mechanism layer. Each component operates with restricted access rights and is protected by dedicated security measures such as firewalls and authentication mechanisms, preventing a single point of failure from compromising the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Security mechanisms act as intermediary components between the software-defined radio components and external threats. Firewalls filter network traffic, authentication mechanisms verify user identities, and encryption protocols protect data transmission, creating protective barriers that mediate between the vulnerable software components and potential attackers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software components (VoIP module, webserver) are added to software-defined radio, then communication capabilities are improved, but attack surface and vulnerability to manipulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different security measures are applied to different software components based on their specific vulnerability profiles and functional requirements. The VoIP module receives protection through network layer filtering and authentication, while the webserver receives additional protection through application layer security mechanisms. Each component has its access rights and security protections tailored to its specific needs, optimizing security without unnecessary restrictions on functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a software-defined radio (100) for air traffic control. The software-defined radio (100) comprises processing circuitry (110). The software-defined radio (100) further comprises a high frequency, hf, transceiver (120) coupled to the processing circuitry (110). In addition, the software-defined radio (100) comprises at least one network interface (130) coupled to the processing circuitry (110) and configured to establish communication via a communication network. Further, the software-defined radio (100) comprises a software-implemented voice over IP, VoIP, module (140) executable by the processing circuitry (110) and configured to provide VoIP communication via the at least one network interface (130). The software-defined radio (100) further comprises a software-implemented webserver (150) executable by the processing circuitry (110) and configured to provide user access to the software-defined radio (100) via the at least one network interface (130). In addition, the software-defined radio (100) comprises at least one security mechanism (160) configured to protect at least one of the at least one network interface (130), the VoIP module (140), and the webserver (150) from threats and/or cyber-attacks.