Secret Code Generation via Channel Capacity Advantage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems relying on predistributed secret keys for encryption are insufficient in protecting data from piracy and hacking, especially in public radiocommunication networks, as they can be compromised by unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating unambiguous secret codes that combine external and internal coding schemes, using signal-to-noise ratio and interference measurements to create a capacity advantage on propagation channels, allowing secure data transmission between users without prior key distribution or auxiliary channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If predistributed secret keys are used for encryption, then data security is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to piracy and hacking attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidpiracy and hacking vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates secret codes autonomously using the propagation channel characteristics between legitimate users. The channel itself serves as the key generation mechanism, eliminating the need for external key distribution and making the system self-securing against attacks on key management infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The secret code is derived from dynamic channel parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and propagation characteristics that change over time. This continuous parameter variation ensures that even if an attacker compromises a key at one moment, the changing channel parameters render the compromised key obsolete

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If external and internal coding schemes are combined to create capacity advantage, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcoding scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coding scheme is divided into two functional segments: an external code that provides error correction and an internal code that provides security through capacity advantage exploitation. This segmentation allows each code to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve both reliability and security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal coding scheme is nested within the external coding scheme, with the internal code operating on a subset of the coded bits. This nested structure allows the system to achieve security without completely replacing the external error correction code, thereby managing complexity through hierarchical organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If secret codes are generated without prior key distribution, then security against key compromise is improved, but the need for auxiliary channels is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against key compromiseVSAvoidkey distribution infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The propagation channel between legitimate users automatically generates the secret code through its inherent characteristics. The channel serves dual purposes: both as the communication medium and as the key generation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate key distribution infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The propagation channel performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the communication channel for data transmission and as the key generation mechanism for security. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary channels dedicated to key distribution

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

Data Source

PatentEP3398270B1Method for unambiguous and secret coding for transmission over a propagation channel with capacity advantage
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 THALES SA
  • EP3398270B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3398270B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3398270B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating secret codes in an unambiguous manner in order to encode data exchanged between a first user and a second user, for example a node and a terminal of a radiocommunication network, without previous distribution of a secret key, and without using an auxiliary channel, once the node and the terminal have established a controlled radio advantage in relation to all non-authorised third parties. The method is particularly based on a specific implementation of unambiguous and secret code diagrams, astutely concatenating an external code and an internal code, respectively providing security and reliability in the transmission of data.