Vehicle Access Verification Using Button-Timed Anti-Relay Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Keyless vehicle access and start systems are vulnerable to relay attacks, which allow unauthorized access and starting of vehicles, and existing systems either have limited range or inadequate protection against such attacks.
Innovation Solution
An access system that includes a control unit in the vehicle and a portable electronic device with a battery, where the device can be wirelessly powered by the control unit, and sends a response signal only if the battery is charged and a user-activated switch or button is actuated within a specific time period, ensuring the device is recognized as belonging to the vehicle before unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keyless vehicle access systems use wireless communication without battery verification, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to relay attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of battery status and user authentication (button actuation) before allowing the vehicle to be unlocked. The control unit checks whether the portable device has sufficient battery power and whether the user has actively actuated the button within a predetermined time period before processing the unlock request, preventing relay attacks that attempt to intercept and forward authentication signals.
2Reliability
If the system requires battery power verification and button actuation, then protection against relay attacks is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device autonomously monitors its own battery status and automatically performs the authentication process when the user actuates the button. The device itself manages the verification of its power supply state and initiates the authentication sequence without requiring additional user actions, making the security measures transparent to the user while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors battery status and sends request signals, then reliability of access control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic action by setting a predetermined time period window for button actuation after a request signal is received. The control unit only processes authentication requests that occur within this specific time window, reducing the frequency of authentication checks and thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining security effectiveness.
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
This solution provides enhanced range and reliable protection against relay attacks by ensuring the vehicle can only be unlocked if the portable electronic device is recognized as belonging to the vehicle, using a battery-powered response mechanism that suppresses unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
the transponder unit, which can be wirelessly supplied with power by the control unit
Data Source
AI summary
An access system comprises a control unit in a vehicle, and a portable electronic device comprising a battery and a switch or a button. The portable electronic device comprises a transponder unit wirelessly supplied with power by the control unit. The control unit transmits a request signal to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device checks, upon receipt of the request signal, whether supplying power by the battery is possible, provides wireless power supply by the control unit to the transponder unit, transmits a response signal to the control unit when supplying power by the battery is not possible, and when supplying power by the battery is possible and the switch or button was actuated within a specific time period around the receipt of the request signal. The vehicle is unlocked if the portable electronic device is recognized as belonging to the vehicle based on the response signal.