Wireless Network Device Barring for Jamming Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems are vulnerable to active security attacks, such as jamming, where attacking devices interfere with downlink and uplink radio resources, disrupting communication between base stations and user equipment (UEs), and existing security measures are inadequate to identify and mitigate these targeted attacks effectively.

Innovation Solution

User equipment (UEs) detect interfering signals by measuring the angle of arrival (AoA) and power information, sending interference reports to base stations, which determine the location of the attacking device and bar access to the network to prevent further interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing security measures are used to prevent attacks, then basic authentication is provided, but targeted jamming attacks can still disrupt communication resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidjamming interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection by measuring AoA and power information of incoming signals before communication occurs. UEs report interference characteristics to the base station in advance, enabling the system to identify potential jamming devices before they can disrupt normal communication operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters by measuring both angle of arrival (AoA) and power information of signals. By analyzing these parameters and comparing them against known legitimate device positions, the system can identify jamming devices that deviate from expected signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If jamming devices transmit strong interfering signals, then communication disruption is achieved, but the devices have limited power and cannot disrupt the entire spectrum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference capabilityVSAvoiddevice power

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by determining the specific position of jamming devices using AoA measurements from multiple UEs. Instead of attempting to protect the entire network uniformly, the base station identifies the precise location and targets countermeasures (barring access) at that specific spatial location, matching the localized nature of the jamming threat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having UEs continuously monitor and report interference characteristics (AoA and power information) to the base station. This feedback loop enables real-time detection and response to jamming attempts, allowing the system to adapt to changing interference conditions and identify devices that exceed expected power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the base station bars access for identified attacking devices, then further interference is prevented, but identification of the attacking device must be accurate to avoid false bans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidattacking device identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple measurement parameters (AoA from multiple UEs and power information) to identify jamming devices. By combining these independent measurements and cross-referencing with known legitimate device positions, the system achieves more accurate identification than any single measurement could provide, reducing false positives while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively identifies and prevents active security attacks by pinpointing the source of interference and isolating the attacking device, ensuring continued secure communication within the wireless network.

Implementation Method 1

The UE measures the angle of arrival (AoA) and power information of the interfering signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle of arrival (AoA):

Implementation Method 2

The UE measures the angle of arrival (AoA) and power information of the interfering signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20240224042A1Methods and apparatus for banning devices performing active security attacks

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) detects signals transmitted by one or more attacking devices that interfere with downlink signals from base stations. The UE measures the angle of arrival (AoA) and power information of the interfering signals and sends an interference report to a serving base station. The base station may receive interference reports for the interfering signals from multiple UEs. One or more base stations may determine the identity of the attacking device based on the position of the attacking device determined using the information from the interference report and known positions of devices connected to the network. The one or more base stations may bar access to the network by the attacking device once the attacking device is identified and/or may report the attacking device.