TPMS Sensor Authentication for Spoofed RF Transmission Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are vulnerable to security threats from unauthorized wireless transmissions, which can compromise vehicle control and safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electronic control unit (ECU) that authenticates TPMS sensors using signature values and key values to verify the authenticity of RF transmissions, ensuring only authorized sensors communicate with the ECU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If wireless communication is implemented for TPMS sensors to communicate tire pressure data, then automated tire pressure monitoring is achieved, but security vulnerabilities arise from unauthorized transmissions and spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication of TPMS sensors before accepting their transmissions. The ECU verifies signature values in incoming RF transmissions against expected values generated from stored key values, preventing unauthorized sensors from communicating tire pressure data before they can cause harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signature values as an intermediary authentication mechanism between the TPMS sensor and ECU. The signature value, generated from key values associated with each sensor, serves as a mediator that verifies the authenticity of transmissions without requiring direct trust between communicating parties
2Object-affected harmful factors
If signature value authentication is implemented using key values, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but system complexity increases due to key management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into distinct components: unique key values stored in the ECU, signature values generated by each TPMS sensor, and verification logic in the ECU. This segmentation allows each component to be independently managed and simplifies the overall key management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses signature values as cryptographic copies of the key values. Instead of transmitting or storing the actual key values, the system generates signature values that represent and verify the authenticity of transmissions, reducing the complexity of key management while maintaining security
3Reliability
If multiple authentication methods (signature values, key values, transmission characteristics) are used, then security reliability is enhanced, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU pre-stores key values and expected signature values for authenticated TPMS sensors during system initialization. This preliminary action allows the authentication process to proceed efficiently by comparing incoming signature values against pre-computed expected values, reducing real-time processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a hierarchical authentication approach where signature value verification provides primary authentication, and transmission characteristic analysis provides additional verification. This partial action approach achieves sufficient reliability without requiring all possible authentication methods to be executed in every case
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products for tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor authentication are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle receives a first radio frequency (RF) transmission that includes TPMS data and a first signature value. In this particular embodiment, the ECU uses a key value to generate a second signature value and determines whether the second signature value corresponds with the first signature value. In this example embodiment, the ECU uses a determination of whether the second signature value corresponds with the first signature value to determine whether the first RF transmission is from a particular TPMS sensor authenticated to the key value.