UWB Transmitter Identification via Clock Offset Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication technology is vulnerable to external attacks, particularly distance forgery attacks that can hijack devices by falsifying the distance between communicating devices, compromising security in applications like smart keys and proximity-based services.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter identification apparatus and method that analyzes received signals to detect clock offsets and their variance over time, generating analysis data to differentiate between legitimate and attacker devices, thereby enhancing security by quickly identifying and preventing such attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB communication technology is used for precise location measurement and proximity-based services, then measurement precision and service functionality are improved, but vulnerability to distance forgery attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing transmitter identification and clock offset analysis before authentication and distance measurement. The receiver analyzes the clock offset of the transmitter in advance, compares it with stored reference values, and identifies whether the transmitter is legitimate or an attacker before the actual UWB communication and distance measurement take place. This preliminary identification prevents distance forgery attacks from succeeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces clock offset analysis as an intermediary mechanism between the transmitter and receiver. Instead of directly trusting the distance measurement signals, the system uses clock offset characteristics as an intermediate verification layer. The receiver extracts clock offset information from received signals, compares it with pre-stored reference clock offsets, and uses this intermediate analysis to authenticate the transmitter's legitimacy before proceeding with distance measurement.
2Reliability
If transmitter identification through clock offset analysis is implemented, then security against distance forgery attacks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by storing reference clock offset values in advance during device manufacturing or initial setup. Instead of performing complex real-time analysis of clock offset variations, the system copies the unique clock offset characteristics of legitimate transmitters into a reference database. During operation, the receiver simply compares the measured clock offset against these pre-copied reference values, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being analyzed from complex signal characteristics to a specific measurable parameter - the clock offset. By focusing on this single parameter and its variance over time, the system simplifies the identification process. The receiver measures clock offset values at different time points, calculates the variance, and compares this scalar value against thresholds or reference values, transforming a potentially complex authentication problem into a straightforward parameter comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitter identification. A transmitter identification apparatus may include a communicator configured to receive a signal from a transmitter at least once; and a processor configured to acquire a clock offset using the received signal, to acquire a cumulative clock offset by accumulating the clock offset, and to acquire analysis data based on a variance of the cumulative clock offset over time.