Vehicle Position Verification via Cross-Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals used for vehicle positioning are susceptible to spoofing attacks, where a third party can corrupt satellite-based signals, leading to unreliable position estimates.

Innovation Solution

A device that compares a first position estimate of a vehicle with a second position estimate from a second vehicle, using sensor data to determine relative positions, and verifies the reliability of the first position estimate by matching satellite-based and sensor-based relative positions, potentially involving multiple second vehicles for enhanced verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GNSS satellite-based signals are used for vehicle positioning, then position determination capability is improved, but vulnerability to spoofing attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination capabilityVSAvoidsignal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification process that compares satellite-based position estimates with sensor-based relative position estimates. This intermediary comparison mechanism acts as a mediator to detect spoofing attacks by identifying inconsistencies between the two positioning methods, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining GNSS positioning capability and ensuring signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the consistency between satellite-based positions and sensor-based relative positions. When inconsistencies exceed a threshold, the system generates alerts and can switch to alternative positioning methods, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains reliability while preserving positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensor-based relative position estimation is used to verify position, then reliability of position estimate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition estimate reliabilityVSAvoidverification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing sensors serve multiple functions: they continue to provide navigation data while also enabling relative position estimation for spoofing detection. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent improves position estimate reliability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components are utilized for dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing sensors to verify the integrity of its positioning system. Rather than requiring entirely separate verification equipment, the patent enables the navigation system to self-verify by comparing satellite-based positions with sensor-derived relative positions, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple second vehicles are used for verification, then detection accuracy of spoofing attacks is improved, but quantity of data to process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespoofing detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the verification process by evaluating relative positions with each second vehicle independently. This segmentation allows the system to process data from multiple vehicles in a modular fashion, improving spoofing detection accuracy through multiple independent comparisons while managing data processing volume through structured, incremental evaluation rather than overwhelming batch processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4220231A1Vehicle position verification
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4220231A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220231A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4220231A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device includes a memory configured to store a first position estimate of a first vehicle. The device also includes a receiver configured to receive a second position estimate of a second vehicle. The device further includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicating a first relative position estimate of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle. The device also includes one or more processors configured to determine, based on a comparison of the first position estimate and the second position estimate, a second relative position estimate of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle. The one or more processors are also configured to determine whether the first position estimate is reliable based at least in part on determining whether the first relative position estimate matches the second relative position estimate.