Secure Subway Train-to-Train Communications via GSM-R Communication Systems
Yongdong Wu, Bo Qiu, Zhuo Wei, Jian Weng · 2016
GSM-R is an important transport communication system to realize moving block control so as to maximize the transfer capacity. However, if the GSM-R system is compromised, the transport system has to downgrade to fixed block control which is of low capacity. This paper presents secure train-to-train communication schemes which enable moving block control even if the GSM-R system is under attack. Particularly, it elaborates two key management protocols to build secure channels between two adjacent trains. One is to setup an autonomous secure train-to-train channel with asymmetric cryptographic primitives and another is to provide secure quasi-autonomous train-to-train channel with symmetric cryptographic primitives. Both schemes are lightweight in terms of computation and communication overhead. In addition, the present scheme is compatible with the terrestrial transportation communication systems.