A performance-aware Public Key Infrastructure for next generation connected aircrafts

Abstract

This paper aims to illustrate the feasibility of a scalable Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) adapted for upcoming network-enabled aircrafts with a particular emphasis on the revocation and verification procedures: many techniques are discussed and their benefits in term of resulting overheads are underlined through a performance assessment study. The proposed PKI is also used to secure a negotiation protocol for the supported and common security mechanisms between two end entities. The PKI presented in this paper is a sub-task of an overall security architecture for the FAST (Fiber-like Aircraft Satellite Telecommunications) project, co-funded by the Aerospace Valley pole and the French government (Direction Générale de la Compétitivité, de l'Industrie et des Services - DGCIS, Fonds Unique Interministériel - FUI). The purpose behind the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of high-capacity aircraft-earth communications through a low-cost satellite antenna technology. The project federates both industrial (EADS Astrium, Axess Europe, Vodea and Medes) and academic/institutional (ISAE, ENAC, LAAS-CNRS, Telecom Bretagne) partners.