Smart Meter Digital Signing for Decentralized Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In decentralized supply networks, there is no central hub to ensure the reliability and integrity of measurement data transmitted to smart contracts, requiring a trusted entity to verify data integrity, which is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A method involving digital signing of measurement data by smart meters using a secret key, followed by verification using a public key, and transmission to automated protocols in a decentralized transaction database, ensuring secure and unambiguous allocation and storage of data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a decentralized supply network is used without a central hub, then the system achieves greater decentralization and eliminates single points of failure, but the integrity and reliability of transmitted measurement data cannot be ensured without a trusted entity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces digital signatures as an intermediary mechanism that enables verification of data integrity without requiring a trusted central entity. The smart meter signs measurement data with its private key, and the signature can be verified by any participant in the decentralized network using the meter's public key, thus mediating trust in a distributed manner
Solution Approach 2:
The smart meter autonomously generates and manages its own cryptographic key pair, digitally signs its measurement data, and provides verification capabilities to the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external trusted entities to establish or verify data integrity, allowing the system to maintain reliability through decentralized self-verification
2Reliability
If digital signing of measurement data is implemented by smart meters, then data integrity and authenticity are ensured without trusted entities, but the system complexity increases due to cryptographic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The smart meter generates its cryptographic key pair in advance and stores the private key securely in its memory before any measurement data transmission occurs. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time key management during operation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the meter's public key as a verifiable copy that can be distributed to all participants in the decentralized network. Instead of requiring complex verification protocols, any participant can use the public key copy to verify signatures, significantly simplifying the verification process across the network
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the reliable provision of measurement data of at least one sensor of a smart meter in a decentralized transaction database. The method includes forming a measurement data set, which comprises measurement data recorded by the at least one sensor at least at one point in time, the meter digitally signing the measurement data set using a secret key; the meter transmitting the digitally signed measurement data set to a first protocol, which is implemented as a computer protocol executed in automated fashion on the transaction database, the verification protocol verifying the digitally signed measurement data set using a public key, which corresponds to the secret key; and, if the measurement data set is successfully verified, providing the measurement data set to at least one second protocol, which is implemented as a computer protocol executed in automated fashion on the transaction database.