Secure Software-Defined Radio Chip with Root of Trust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current software-defined radio (SDR) systems lack robust security features, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access and data breaches, despite their flexibility and adaptability in radio protocols and frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A secure SDR chip is developed with a root of trust and a key ladder for authentication, incorporating a reconfigurable hardware programmable logic circuit with cryptographic modules to ensure secure data processing and communication, including mutual authentication between the chip and server, and confidentiality of data and processing rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software-defined radio uses general purpose processors or basic programmable logic devices, then flexibility and adaptability in radio protocols and frequencies are improved, but security characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in radio protocolsVSAvoidsecurity characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into secure elements (cryptographic modules, root of trust) and reconfigurable logic circuits. The secure element handles authentication and key management, while the reconfigurable logic handles radio protocol processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A secure element acts as an intermediary between the reconfigurable logic circuit and external systems. It provides mutual authentication, manages cryptographic keys, and verifies the authenticity of configuration data before it is loaded into the reconfigurable logic, thereby protecting the system from unauthorized access and attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reconfigurable hardware programmable logic devices are used, then adaptability after deployment is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfigurability after deploymentVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secure element performs preliminary authentication and verification of configuration data before it is loaded into the reconfigurable logic circuit. The root of trust generates cryptographic keys and signs configuration data in advance, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized configurations can be deployed, thereby preventing security vulnerabilities from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the secure element continuously monitors and verifies the authenticity of configuration data being loaded into the reconfigurable logic. Mutual authentication protocols ensure that both the secure element and external systems verify each other's identity, providing ongoing security validation rather than a one-time check.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12026289B2Secure software-defined radio chip

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 NAGRAVISION SRL

AI summary

The present invention relates to a software-defined radio chip or module suitable for integration on a host device. The software-defined radio chip comprises digital signal processing capability which includes standard digital signal processing hardware and reconfigurable programmable logic, the reconfigurable programmable logic is configured in such a way as to provide secure digital signal processing capability to the software-defined radio, thereby providing a secure software-defined radio.