Secure Preamble Exchange for Concurrent UWB Distance Measurement and Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distance measurement using high rate pulse repetition frequency-ultra wideband (HRP-UWB) communication, the measurement result can be compromised by relay attacks due to the use of a fixed or predictable preamble, and existing solutions require separate authentication processes that consume resources and cause communication congestion.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device generates a secure preamble and transmits it to an external device for distance measurement, with the external device responding with its own secure preamble, allowing for concurrent authentication and distance measurement operations, thereby preventing relay attacks and reducing authentication overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed or predictable preamble is used for distance measurement, then the distance measurement process is simple, but the measurement result can be compromised by relay attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and exchanging secure preambles before the distance measurement process. Each device generates a secure preamble using a hash function of its public key, and these preambles are exchanged in advance. This preliminary security setup ensures that the subsequent distance measurement cannot be compromised by relay attacks, while maintaining operational simplicity through automated key management.
2Reliability
If a separate authentication process is implemented to prevent relay attacks, then security is improved, but resource consumption increases and communication congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication process with the distance measurement process by integrating secure preamble exchange into the existing distance measurement protocol. Instead of implementing a separate authentication procedure, the secure preambles are exchanged as part of the distance measurement handshake, allowing both security verification and distance measurement to occur simultaneously, thereby reducing resource consumption and avoiding communication congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the distance measurement protocol multi-functional by enabling it to perform both distance measurement and authentication simultaneously. The secure preambles serve dual purposes: they authenticate the devices against relay attacks and they enable the time-of-flight calculation for distance measurement. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate authentication procedures.
3Reliability
If a separate authentication process is implemented, then security is improved, but communication overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines authentication and distance measurement into a single integrated protocol exchange. The secure preamble exchange occurs within the same communication sequence as the distance measurement signals, eliminating the need for separate authentication handshakes. This merging reduces both communication overhead and time consumption while maintaining security.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables secure and efficient distance measurement between authenticated devices without a separate authentication procedure, reducing power consumption and simplifying operations while preventing relay attacks.
Implementation Method 1
Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication is communication technology involving transmission of signals at low power using a very short pulse (e.g., a few nanoseconds) over a wide band
Implementation Method 2
IR-UWB technology can execute sophisticated distance and position recognition processes, with a tolerance of dozens of centimeters (cm) in both interior and exterior environments
Data Source
AI summary
A first electronic device, second electronic device, and a method are disclosed herein. The first electronic device includes communication circuitry and a processor that implements the method, including transmitting, using the communication circuit, a distance measurement signal including the first secure preamble to the second electronic device, receiving a response signal through the communication circuit including a second secure preamble generated by the second electronic device from the external electronic device, authenticating the response signal based on the second secure preamble, and based on successful authentication, determining a distance to the second electronic device based on a transmission time of the distance measurement signal and a reception time of the response signal.