Time Resilient System Defending Against GPS Spoofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS receivers and other time signal-dependent systems are vulnerable to spoofing attacks, which deceive them into trusting false time signals, leading to inaccurate time and position data, posing risks to critical infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A time resilient system that includes a receiver for collecting time signals from an external clock, an internal clock synchronized with the external clock, and a controller to monitor deviations between the two, enabling detection and defense against invalid time signals by establishing a trusted time source independent of the external signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers rely on external time signals for synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but vulnerability to spoofing attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation system that mediates between external time signals and the receiver's internal clock. This validation mechanism checks the authenticity of external signals before accepting them for synchronization, preventing spoofed signals from compromising the system while maintaining accurate time synchronization when signals are valid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary validation actions before accepting external time signals. The system performs authenticity verification and consistency checks on incoming signals before using them to synchronize the internal clock, ensuring that only verified legitimate signals can affect the timekeeping function.
2Ease of operation
If receivers accept external time signals without validation, then ease of operation is improved, but security against timing attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the receiver to perform self-validation of incoming time signals through built-in verification mechanisms. The system automatically checks signal authenticity, detects potential spoofing attempts, and maintains operational autonomy by validating signals before acceptance, combining ease of operation with security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the consistency and authenticity of external time signals. The system continuously validates incoming signals against expected parameters and provides feedback to reject invalid signals while automatically accepting valid ones, maintaining both operational simplicity and security.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the time resilient system and methods disclosed herein can be configured to detect and defend against invalid time signals. According to various embodiments of the disclosed technology, the time resilient system include a receiver for collecting time signals sourced from an external clock. By way of example only, the external clock may be a high precision clock housed within a Global Positioning System. Other embodiments may include an internal clock calibrated to a time reflected on the external clock so that the internal clock and the external clock are synchronized. Additionally, a controller may monitor changes in time signals of the external over a period of time against the internal clock, where the system is alerted of a timing attack when the time signals collected from the receiver deviate a pre-determined time range with the time of the internal clock.