Trusted Distance Measurement via Third-Device Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless distance measurement systems are vulnerable to tampering, allowing malicious devices to falsify arrival time data, leading to inaccurate distance calculations and potential abuse of location-based services.
Innovation Solution
A system that involves a third trusted device to verify distance measurements by comparing the arrival times of a measurement message at both the first and third devices, using a verification test to ensure the distances correspond to a viable spatial constellation, thereby protecting against fake time of arrival and time of departure data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single device performs distance measurement using arrival time data, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the reliability of the measurement is compromised due to potential tampering
Solution Approach 1:
A third trusted device is introduced as an intermediary to verify distance measurements. The third device receives measurement messages from the second device and independently determines arrival times, then provides verification data to the first device. This intermediary verification mechanism increases reliability without requiring direct complex interaction between all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the third device provide verification data about the measurement message arrival times to the first device. The first device uses this feedback information to assess whether the distance measurement to the second device is reliable, creating a closed-loop verification system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a malicious device tampers with arrival time data to appear closer, then the location-based service can be abused, but the verification test can detect such tampering when a third trusted device is involved
Solution Approach 1:
The third trusted device acts as an independent intermediary that does not trust the second device's self-reported arrival times. Instead, the third device independently measures arrival times and provides verification data, creating a check-and-balance system that detects malicious tampering by the second device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of malicious tampering into a beneficial verification opportunity. By introducing the third device, any attempt by the second device to fake arrival times creates detectable inconsistencies in the spatial constellation, allowing the system to identify and reject malicious data.
3Reliability
If the system uses a third device for verification, then the reliability of distance measurement improves, but the measurement time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The third device performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing its own arrival time measurements and verification data before the final distance assessment is needed. The verification test can then quickly compare the second device's measurement against the pre-computed third device data, reducing the overall time required for reliable measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the reliability of distance measurements by making it more difficult for malicious devices to tamper with both distance measurements, ensuring accurate location-based services and preventing unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
This application is in the field of ranging protocols. These may correspond to what is known as time-of-flight measurements which measure the time it takes for the electromagnetic radiation to travel between the transmitter and the receiver.
Implementation Method 2
assuming a wireless signal propagated in free air with substantially the speed of light, it takes 3.3 ns for the radiation to cover a distance of a meter
Data Source
AI summary
A device is arranged for distance measurement according to a ranging protocol using a measurement message from a second device. Based on a first arrival time of the measurement message a first distance (151) between the first device (110) and the second device (120) is determined. A third device (130) acts as a cooperating device that is located at a trusted distance (150). The cooperating device determines a third arrival time of the same measurement message, and transfers support data to the first device, the support data being based on the third arrival time. The first device obtains a third distance (153) between the third device and the second device using the support data. Then a verification test is performed on the first distance (151), the trusted distance (150) and the third distance (153). The first distance is reliable when said distances correspond to a viable spatial constellation (100) of the devices.