In this work we develop a secure communication protocol in the context of a Remote Meter Reading (RMR) System. We first analyze existing standards in secure communication (e.g. IPsec, SSL/TSL) and existing implementations aimed at embedded systems with low-power constraints in general (e.g. lwIP, lwBT, ZigBee). Then, starting from a Platform Independent Modeling (PIM), we develop a protocol concept to address authentication, integrity and confidentiality, also covering battery lifetime checking and theft monitoring. Finally the protocol itself is described by means of UML. Limited resource and low-power constraints are taken into account when examining secure-transmission features. RMR is thus an example of an application requiring a light-weight protocol combined with security features. One of the future objectives is to switch from the PIM description to PSM implementation.
Mauro Prevostini, Giuseppe Piscopo, I. Stefanini