Time-Division Group Key Generation for Zero-Power Device Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems with zero-power devices face challenges in efficiently sharing secret information among multiple devices while ensuring security, particularly in scenarios involving insecure wireless channels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first device sending multiple messages to multiple second devices, where each message occupies a different time domain range, allowing the second devices to generate keys, and subsequently determining a group key through a process involving self-assembling cross-bit operations or XOR operations on verification keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pairwise key is used for encryption between the target device and multiple zero-power devices, then the security of data transmission between individual device pairs is maintained, but the efficiency of sharing secret information among multiple devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key management system into two distinct key types: pairwise keys for individual device communication and a group key for multi-device secret sharing. This segmentation allows each key type to serve its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between maintaining individual security and enabling efficient group communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The group key serves as a universal key that enables all zero-power devices in the group to share secret information efficiently. By introducing this multi-functional key that works for all devices simultaneously, the system achieves both security (through cryptographic protection) and efficiency (through single-key group encryption).
2Reliability
If multiple pairwise keys are used for each zero-power device pair, then the security of individual device communications is improved, but the device complexity and key management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments key management into two hierarchical levels: pairwise keys at the individual device level for point-to-point communication security, and a group key at the collective level for multi-device secret sharing. This hierarchical segmentation reduces key management complexity by eliminating the need for complex key distribution protocols among all device pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The group key acts as an intermediary that facilitates secret sharing among multiple zero-power devices without requiring direct pairwise key exchange between each device pair. This intermediary key simplifies the key management process by providing a centralized mechanism for group-level secret communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A key generation method includes the following. A first device sends multiple first messages to multiple second devices, where a different first message among the multiple first messages occupies a different time domain range, and the multiple first messages are used for the multiple second devices to generate keys. The first device receives multiple second messages sent by the multiple second devices, where a different second message among the multiple second messages is related to a key of a different second device. The first device sends multiple third messages to the multiple second devices, where a different third message among the multiple third messages is used for a different second device to determine a group key.