V2X Trusted-Agent Detection of False Vehicle Locations

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Solution Overview

Problem

V2X communication systems face security threats due to vehicles sending false locations, which jeopardize road safety and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) functionality by causing delays or failures in vehicle dispatch, necessitating improved detection of falsely reported locations.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing V2X trusted agents to detect abrupt wireless signal attenuation caused by untrusted vehicles, enabling collaborative estimation of their positions and detecting misbehavior through occlusion mechanisms, with trusted agents aggregating and distributing information to enhance system safety and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If V2X communication is used to transmit data among network-connected vehicles, then mobility services and autonomous driving functionality are enabled, but security threats arise from false location reports and ghost vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveV2X communication functionalityVSAvoidlocation information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces trusted agents as intermediary entities that mediate between vehicles and the MaaS system. These agents verify vehicle locations by detecting physical occlusions (when a vehicle passes between the agent and the target vehicle), thereby filtering out false location reports and ghost vehicles before information reaches the MaaS system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where trusted agents continuously monitor and verify vehicle locations, providing corrective information back to the MaaS system when discrepancies are detected. This feedback loop enables real-time detection and correction of false location reports, maintaining reliability while preserving V2X communication versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If MaaS system acts on incorrect vehicle location information, then vehicle dispatch is delayed or not fulfilled, but the system lacks effective detection mechanisms for false locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle dispatch efficiencyVSAvoidlocation verification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary verification actions by deploying trusted agents to check vehicle locations before the MaaS system makes dispatch decisions. The agents proactively detect occlusions and verify actual vehicle positions in advance, preventing incorrect information from reaching the dispatch system and avoiding delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on vehicle-reported location data with a physical detection mechanism based on occlusion sensing. Trusted agents use sensors to detect when vehicles physically pass between the agent and the target vehicle, substituting mechanical/physical verification for electronic self-reporting, thereby achieving precise location verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If trusted agents detect abrupt signal attenuation to identify untrusted vehicles, then misbehavior detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemisbehavior detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trusted agents use their own sensing capabilities to detect occlusions caused by untrusted vehicles. The system leverages the natural physical phenomenon of signal attenuation when objects block the path between transmitter and receiver, requiring no additional complex detection hardware beyond standard sensors already present in V2X infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of signal attenuation (caused by untrusted vehicles attempting to hide or deceive) into a beneficial detection mechanism. By monitoring for abrupt signal attenuation, the system transforms the occlusion that untrusted vehicles create into a detectable signature that reveals their presence and misbehavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 V2X system safety and security by accurately identifying misbehavior, improving the efficiency of autonomous vehicle fleets and MaaS systems by ensuring correct trip planning and scheduling.

Implementation Method 1

detect an abrupt physical attenuation of a wireless signal and determine whether the attenuation was caused by signal occlusion caused by the presence of an untrusted vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal occlusion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4021052B1Pathloss drop trusted agent misbehavior detection
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 INTEL CORP
  • EP4021052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

V2X trusted agents provide technical solutions for technical problems facing falsely reported locations of connected vehicles within V2X systems. These trusted agents (e.g., trusted members) may be used to detect an abrupt physical attenuation of a wireless signal and determine whether the attenuation was caused by signal occlusion caused by the presence of an untrusted vehicle or other untrusted object. When the untrusted vehicle is sending a message received by trusted agents, these temporary occlusions allow trusted members to collaboratively estimate the positions of untrusted vehicles in the shared network, and to detect misbehavior by associating the untrusted vehicle with reported positions. Trusted agents may also be used to pinpoint specific mobile targets. Information about one or more untrusted vehicles may be aggregated and distributed as a service.