UWB Ranging Frame Encryption for Secure Timestamp Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing UWB ranging technology faces a security risk due to the use of identical scrambled timestamp sequences in each ranging round, which compromises the security of the communication process.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where both devices generate and use unique ranging encryption parameters for each ranging frame by deriving them from shared configuration information and a key derivation algorithm, ensuring that each frame has a distinct encryption parameter without establishing a communication link between broadband systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If identical scrambled timestamp sequences are used in each ranging round, then the ranging process is simple and fast, but security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging securityVSAvoidencryption parameter management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static identical sequences to dynamic unique sequences. Each ranging frame uses a different encryption parameter generated through key derivation based on the ranging frame's sequence number, making the encryption parameters change dynamically with each ranging round while maintaining systematic generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter from fixed identical sequences to variable unique sequences. By deriving encryption parameters from a base key and incorporating the sequence number of each ranging frame, the system generates different encryption parameters for each frame, thereby enhancing security without requiring complex manual parameter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If communication link establishment is required between broadband systems for negotiation, then parameter coordination is ensured, but system power consumption and operating time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter coordinationVSAvoidsystem power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling each broadband system to independently generate its own encryption parameters using a shared base key and the ranging frame's sequence number. This eliminates the need for inter-system communication and negotiation, as each system can autonomously derive the correct encryption parameter locally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a shared base key between the broadband systems before ranging begins. This preliminary key sharing enables both systems to independently generate matching encryption parameters without requiring real-time communication or negotiation during the ranging process, thereby reducing power consumption and operating time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4701250A1Ranging method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4701250A1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~2
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  • EP4701250A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a ranging method and apparatus. In the method, when ranging is performed between a first device and a second device, each ranging frame in one ranging round is determined based on different ranging encryption parameters, so that ranging frames generated in the ranging round are different from each other. In other words, the first device and the second device use different encryption parameters to encrypt and decrypt different ranging frames. This ensures that each ranging frame has a unique encryption parameter in a ranging process, so that secure ranging performance can be effectively improved.