Sensor Initialization via Interleaved Broadcast and Unicast Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The initialization of multiple same-type sensors in applications like autonomous vehicles is slow due to the need for individual authentication, which forces a unicast approach despite the potential for faster broadcasting of initialization data.
Innovation Solution
Interleaving the broadcasting of initialization data with the unicasting of authentication data allows sensors to verify the integrity of the initialization data, thereby addressing the need for security while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicast operation is used to authenticate each sensor individually, then security and integrity of initialization data are ensured, but initialization time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the initialization process into two distinct phases: a fast broadcast phase for transmitting initialization data to multiple sensors simultaneously, and a subsequent unicast phase for authenticating each sensor individually. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both broadcast efficiency and unicast security without the drawbacks of either approach when used exclusively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the broadcast of initialization data as a preliminary action before authentication. By pre-distributing the initialization data to all sensors via broadcast, the system eliminates the need to repeat this data transmission for each sensor during the authentication phase, thereby saving significant time while maintaining security through subsequent individual authentication.
2Productivity
If broadcast operation is used to initialize multiple sensors simultaneously, then initialization speed improves, but security authentication becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the initialization process into two segments: a broadcast segment for fast data distribution and a unicast segment for secure authentication. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high initialization speed through broadcast while maintaining security through individual authentication in the second segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by seamlessly transitioning from broadcast to unicast operations. The broadcast phase continuously distributes initialization data to all sensors, and the subsequent unicast phase continuously authenticates each sensor, ensuring that the initialization process remains efficient and secure without interruption.
3Reliability
If individual authentication is performed for each sensor, then each sensor's initialization data integrity is verified, but the overall system initialization time becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the initialization workflow into a bulk broadcast operation followed by individual authentication operations. This segmentation allows the system to verify data integrity for each sensor through unicast authentication while maintaining high system-level productivity by processing multiple sensors in parallel during the broadcast phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary broadcast of initialization data to all sensors before individual authentication. This preliminary action ensures that all sensors receive the necessary initialization data simultaneously, and subsequent authentication only verifies integrity rather than transmitting data, thereby maintaining high throughput while ensuring data integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller device includes a memory storing instructions. An interface bus is coupled to sensors and configured to operate with a multi-target interface protocol. A processor is coupled to the memory and the interface bus. The processor broadcasts initialization data, according to the multi-target interface protocol, to the sensors. The processor generates, from the initialization data, using at least one cryptographic function, an authentication tag for each sensor. Each authentication tag is specific to a corresponding sensor of the sensors. The processor also unicasts, according to the multi-target interface protocol, each authentication tag to the corresponding sensor of the sensors.