Wireless Communication Device Packet Resumption Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems like DECT ULE, packet communication interruptions due to reception errors lead to complex re-transmission controls and security vulnerabilities, particularly in home automation networks, where power outages or intentional failures can cause packet number initialization, making it difficult to distinguish between pre- and post-failure packets, and increasing the risk of falsification attacks.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device with a control unit that initializes the packet number and generates a new packet encryption key only when a legitimate communication party is confirmed, using a message encryption key and frame number to ensure secure re-initialization and re-transmission, thereby preventing unauthorized access and maintaining communication integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If packet communication is resumed after interruption using consecutive packet numbers, then low power consumption and reduced data transmission delay are realized, but security vulnerabilities occur when reception errors lead to packet number initialization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication using the authentication key before resuming packet communication after an interruption. This preliminary authentication action ensures that even if packet numbers are reinitialized due to reception errors, the communication resumption is secure and authorized, preventing unauthorized devices from injecting packets with reinitialized numbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication key acts as an intermediary mechanism between the packet number sequence and the communication resumption process. By introducing this intermediate authentication step, the system decouples the security verification from the packet number continuity, allowing secure resumption even when packet numbers are reinitialized due to errors or interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authentication is performed using authentication key when packet communication is not correctly performed, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication mechanism is dynamically activated only when packet communication is not correctly performed or when resuming after interruption. The control unit adjusts the authentication behavior based on communication status, performing authentication selectively rather than continuously, thus maintaining security while minimizing the impact on device complexity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of authentication based on communication conditions. When packet reception is correct, the system operates in a simpler mode without additional authentication steps. When reception errors occur or communication is interrupted, the system transitions to a more secure mode with authentication enabled, effectively adapting the complexity level to the actual security needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3024285B1Wireless communication device and method
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3024285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3024285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3024285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a wireless communication device for packet communication. In a case where a communication failure occurs, authentication of the other communication party is performed. In a case where the other communication party is a legitimate party, an encryption key for packet communication is updated, a packet number is returned to an initial value, and the packet communication is resumed.