Secure Wake-Up Circuit for Wireless Body Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) face challenges in securely waking up devices without external interference, as existing wake-up schemes lack security measures and are not optimized for star topology, leading to potential malicious or unintentional activation of implanted devices.
Innovation Solution
A secure wake-up method using a Wake-up Authentication Code (WAC) generated based on a counter, addresses, and a shared key, which is transmitted via an RFID receiver in the ISM band, allowing the network device to authenticate the wake-up signal and wake up the main circuit unit using energy from the wake-up radio signal, thereby preventing unauthorized activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wake-up radio signal is transmitted to activate a network device in WBAN, then the device can be activated from sleep state, but unauthorized or malicious activation may occur due to lack of security authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing authentication codes (WAC) in both the network control device and network device before the actual wake-up operation. The WAC is generated using a hash function based on shared secret information and a counter value, and is stored in advance for authentication during the wake-up process. This prevents unauthorized activation without requiring complex real-time authentication computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an authentication code (WAC) as a mediator between the wake-up signal transmitter and receiver. The WAC acts as a verification intermediary that confirms the legitimacy of the wake-up signal without requiring direct complex authentication protocols between the devices. The WAC is transmitted along with the wake-up signal and verified using pre-shared secret information.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the main circuit unit remains in sleep state to conserve energy, then battery lifespan is extended, but the device cannot respond to legitimate wake-up requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network device into two functional parts: a wake-up circuit that remains active to receive and authenticate wake-up signals, and a main circuit unit that sleeps to conserve energy. The wake-up circuit contains minimal components (RFID receiver, authentication logic) that consume very little power, while the energy-intensive main circuit unit (processing, communication, sensing) remains powered down until authenticated wake-up occurs. This segmentation enables the device to maintain responsiveness while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the counter-based authentication mechanism. The counter value increments with each wake-up cycle, and the authentication code is regenerated periodically based on this counter. This periodic regeneration ensures that each wake-up event is uniquely authenticated while allowing the device to return to sleep state between periods, maintaining both energy efficiency and reliable periodic responsiveness.
3Reliability
If authentication codes are updated frequently to enhance security, then resistance to replay attacks is improved, but synchronization between devices may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback through the counter mechanism that is maintained synchronously in both the network control device and network device. Each time a wake-up occurs, both devices increment their local counter values. The authentication code is generated as a function of this counter value and shared secret information. This feedback loop ensures that both devices remain synchronized in their authentication state, allowing frequent WAC updates for security while maintaining synchronization. The counter acts as a feedback variable that coordinates the authentication state between the two devices.
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 solution ensures secure wake-up of WBAN devices by authenticating the wake-up signal, reducing energy consumption by using the wake-up radio signal's energy, and preventing unauthorized activation, while also reducing transmission power levels by using the ISM band for communication.
Implementation Method 1
receive a wake-up radio signal from a network control device using an RFID receiver
Implementation Method 2
generate an interrupt signal using an energy contained in the wake-up radio signal
Data Source
AI summary
A network device and a network control device in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN), and a secure wake-up method and a wake-up authentication code (WAC) generation method of the network device and the network control device are provided. The network device includes a wake-up circuit to receive a wake-up radio signal from a network control device using a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) receiver, to compare a WAC contained in the received wake-up radio signal with a WAC stored in advance, and to determine whether to wake up a main circuit unit, the network control device being contained in the WBAN; and the main circuit unit to be woken up in response to an interrupt signal from the wake-up circuit.