Wireless Security Test Apparatus Using RF and IP Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current test methods for wireless communication devices are inadequate in thoroughly evaluating their robustness against security attacks, which can lead to privacy breaches and increased energy consumption, particularly in battery-powered devices.

Innovation Solution

A test apparatus and method that utilize a radio-frequency (RF) device to transmit and receive RF signals and an Internet Protocol (IP) device to generate and analyze security attacks through a wireless communication link, simulating various attacks such as non-IP channel, brute force, denial of service, and buffer overflow attacks to assess a device's resistance and response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current test methods are used for wireless communication devices, then testing can be performed with simple equipment, but the robustness against security attacks cannot be thoroughly evaluated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity evaluation reliabilityVSAvoidtest equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The test apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: an RF device for wireless signal transmission and reception, and an IP device for generating and analyzing security attacks. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in specific testing functions, improving security evaluation reliability while keeping individual components manageable in complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test apparatus combines multiple testing capabilities in a single system: RF signal generation, IP-based security attack simulation, and response analysis. The RF device and IP device work together to provide comprehensive security testing that evaluates multiple attack vectors simultaneously, achieving thorough security evaluation without requiring multiple separate test systems

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

2Reliability

If security attacks are not thoroughly tested, then device development can proceed quickly, but privacy breaches and energy consumption issues may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice security robustnessVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The test apparatus performs security attacks and vulnerability assessments during the device development phase, before deployment. By conducting comprehensive security testing preliminarily, potential privacy breaches and energy consumption vulnerabilities are identified and addressed early, preventing future security incidents while maintaining efficient development timelines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The IP device analyzes the device under test's responses to security attacks in real-time, providing feedback on vulnerability points. This feedback mechanism allows developers to identify and fix security issues systematically, improving device robustness while managing testing time through targeted analysis of attack responses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3554012B1Test arrangement and test method
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3554012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3554012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a security test of a wireless device. For this purpose, a security attack to the wireless device is performed by a test apparatus applying a wireless communication link to the device under test. The security attack may comprise a non-IP channel attack, a password brute force attack, a denial of service attack and a buffer overflow attack.