GPS signal spoofing detection using trust systems

Abstract

In the modern era, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has become increasingly popular due to their diverse applications and flexibility in executing operations remotely. UAV systems range from specialized to general-purpose systems, can be used for personal use or used for the completion of specific missions. UAVs employ advanced technologies to navigate complex environments, often relying on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to determine their location and calculate the remaining mission path. However, GPS receivers are vulnerable to various types of spoofing attacks, posing a significant challenge for UAVs, that heavily depend on their GPS receivers. To ensure the reception of clean and authentic signals, this thesis proposes a method to monitor GPS receiver’s signals for any abnormal activity. Additionally, we aim to detect attacks using trust systems among neighboring UAVs to decrease the impact of such attacks. The trust system involves exchanging location information to calculate trust levels and serve as a reference for verifying potential attacks. To conduct experiments for the proposed method, we utilized a discrete-event network simulator and extract results in the form of data columns to analyze the accuracy of the detection rate for attack scenarios.