Secured Sensor Interface via Intermediary Security Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face security risks when using sensor information to control operations, as malicious changes to thermal limits or spoofed sensor signals can compromise device performance and user experience, and individually configuring security for each sensor in a distributed sensor system is complex and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A security component is introduced between the distributed sensor system and other device components, featuring a configuration table for storing sensor configurations, a security controller for limiting access using a selected security protocol, and a feedback controller for authenticating signals and sending instructions based on comparisons with stored values, incorporating protocols like one-time programmability, time-windowing, and host authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a distributed sensor system is used to control device operations, then device performance and operational control are improved, but security risks increase due to potential malicious changes or spoofed signals
Solution Approach 1:
A security component is introduced as an intermediary between the distributed sensor system and device components. This security component includes a security controller that authenticates sensor signals and a feedback controller that verifies feedback instructions against configuration tables, thereby mediating and securing all communications without preventing the sensor system from controlling device operations
Solution Approach 2:
The security component performs preliminary authentication and verification actions before allowing sensor signals to control device operations. The security controller authenticates sensor signals before they are processed, and the feedback controller verifies instructions against configuration tables in advance, preventing malicious changes before they can affect device operation
2Reliability
If security protocols are applied to each sensor individually in a distributed sensor system, then security coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple security functions are merged into a single security component. The security controller handles authentication of sensor signals, the feedback controller verifies feedback instructions, and configuration tables store secure reference data. This consolidation provides comprehensive security coverage for the entire distributed sensor system while maintaining manageable complexity through unified design
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples are disclosed that relate to the securing of a distributed sensor system. One example provides a security component configured to be communicatively coupled between a trusted element and a distributed sensor system. The security component includes a configuration table configured to store sensor configurations for the distributed sensor system, and a security controller configured to secure the configuration table by limiting access to the configuration table according to a selected security protocol. The security component further includes a feedback controller configured to receive signals from the distributed sensor system and send feedback instructions to the trusted element based at least on a comparison of the signals received from the distributed sensor system with values in the configuration table.