Vehicle Keyless Authentication Element with Motion Sensor for Relay Attack Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyless entry systems for vehicles are vulnerable to relay attacks, which allow unauthorized access and starting of vehicles by extending the radio link between the key and the vehicle, without requiring the actual key to be present within the usual distance, compromising security, especially affecting the emergency start function.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an authentication element with a transponding interface for energy and data transmission, a sensor element for detecting movement and inclination, and a signal processing and forwarding device to transmit authentication signals only when specific conditions are met, ensuring that the vehicle can only be started by the authorized owner based on their unique movement and inclination data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emergency start function allows the vehicle to be started by supplying energy to the authentication element via transformer coupling, then the availability and reliability of the starting function is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to relay attacks where the radio link is extended using intermediate antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor element as an intermediary that detects physical characteristics (acceleration, inclination) of the authentication element. This intermediary verification mechanism mediates between the energy supply function and security requirements, allowing the emergency start to proceed only when both energy transfer and sensor verification succeed, thereby preventing relay attacks while maintaining availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the verification parameters from purely radio-based authentication to include physical parameter verification through sensor elements. By monitoring acceleration and inclination parameters, the system ensures that the authentication element is physically present in the correct position, making relay attacks impossible since the physical characteristics cannot be replicated through radio extension
2Ease of operation
If the authentication element transmits authentication signals via the transponding interface when supplied with energy, then the ease of operation for emergency start is improved, but the security against unauthorized access deteriorates due to relay attack vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor element performs preliminary verification of the authentication element's physical state before authentication signals are transmitted. The acceleration and inclination are checked in advance to confirm proper positioning, so that even if energy is supplied and the transponding interface is activated, no authentication signal is transmitted unless the physical verification succeeds first
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor element acts as an intermediary verification layer between the energy supply and the authentication signal transmission. It mediates the process by requiring both energy availability and physical verification, thereby maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users while blocking relay attacks
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
Prevents relay attacks on the emergency start function by ensuring that the vehicle can only be started when the authorized owner's authentication element is present and correctly positioned, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
the authentication element (1) is supplied with energy by means of transformer coupling, so that a so-called challenge/response communication can be carried out between the vehicle and the authentication element (1)
Implementation Method 2
which has a sensor element (3) for detecting a movement and/or inclination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an authentication element (1), in particular keyless go element for a vehicle (20), comprising a transponder interface (2) for transmitting an authentication signal and for receiving power and data, and a sensor element (3) for detecting a movement and/or inclination, the authentication element (1) being designed such that authentication signals are transmitted via the transponder interface (2) when the sensor element (3) detects a deposited movement and/or inclination. The invention further relates to an authorization system (30) for vehicles, comprising at least one authentication element (1) and a device (10), and to a method for verifying an authorization request in an authentication element (1) of a vehicle having said authorization system (30) intended by a user.