Autonomous Vehicle Beacon Detection for Untrusted Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack the capability to detect operation on untrusted networks, and existing solutions require the vehicle to recognize and relay this information over the same untrusted network, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle generates a data packet based on a beacon token, which includes its identifier and a server computing device's identifier, and transmits it over multiple networks. The server computing device receives this packet only when the vehicle is on an untrusted network, allowing it to determine the network's identity and generate an alert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle transmits data packets over untrusted networks, then the server can detect untrusted network operation, but the vehicle exposes itself to potential security risks by communicating over untrusted networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that performs security detection. The vehicle transmits beacon tokens to the server, which then analyzes whether the network is trusted or untrusted. This mediator approach allows security detection to be performed remotely, protecting the vehicle from directly handling security-critical decisions while still enabling reliable detection of untrusted network conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the autonomous vehicle is configured with detection functionality for untrusted networks, then it can identify untrusted network operation, but it requires the vehicle to relay indication back over the same untrusted network which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection functionality from the vehicle and relocates it to the server. Instead of the vehicle containing and executing detection logic, the vehicle simply transmits beacon tokens and the server performs the analysis. This extraction eliminates the need for the vehicle to relay detection indications back over untrusted networks, as the detection and alerting occur server-side where it is safe to do so.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the autonomous vehicle communicates with computing devices over multiple networks, then it maintains operational flexibility, but it increases the risk of operating on untrusted networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server continuously monitors beacon tokens transmitted by the vehicle and provides feedback about network trust status. The server can generate alerts when untrusted networks are detected, enabling the system to adapt its behavior based on network conditions. This feedback loop maintains operational flexibility by allowing the vehicle to communicate over multiple networks while providing continuous security monitoring to mitigate risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies described herein pertain to detecting operation of an autonomous vehicle on an untrusted network. The autonomous vehicle retrieves a beacon token from a data store of the autonomous vehicle. The beacon token comprises an identifier for the autonomous vehicle and an identifier for a server computing device. The autonomous vehicle generates a data packet based upon the beacon token, wherein the data packet includes the identifier for the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle transmits the data packet to the server computing device. When the data packet is transmitted via a trusted network, networking rules of the trusted network prevent the data packet from being received by the server computing device. When the data packet is transmitted via the untrusted network, the server computing device receives the data packet. Responsive to receiving the data packet, the server computing device generates and transmits an alert to a computing device.