About ROOT
A MIX OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES:
ROOT aims to assess the benefits introduced by the Galileo authenticated signals (OSNMA) in the specific context of synchronization of 5G telecommunications networks. Specifically, ROOT purpose is to estimate the increased resilience that OSNMA can bring to GNSS-based timing sources. This is obtained through an experimental approach which enables the measurement of the increased level of robustness provided by the use of a mix of emerging technologies.
LTE-A, LTE-TDD and 5G introduce new stringent requirements to time and phase synchronization
Evolution to phase synchronization is done via Distributed Grandmaster Clocks (D-GMC)
From GPS-only, single-frequency receivers
to high-end GNSS, multi-constellation,
multi-frequency receivers
Featuring, on-board security, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing mechanisms.
Resilient architectures for long-distance accurate time distribution (e.g.: WR-PTP)
Autonomous switch between different GNSS time source
Integrity check and remote attestation of the software running on network devices
Secure network communication relying on trust computing
Look for other short videos at the resources page
CORE TECHNOLOGIES IN ROOT
THE PROJECT: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
The experimental approach is the core of the ROOT project. It has been devised in 4 steps to be implemented after the careful analysis of the state of the art in the different fields relevant to ROOT activities and the high-level definition of the system architecture.
01. SELECT THE ATTACK
Choose within set of radio-frequency and cyberattacks designed to impair time and phase synchronization in real 5G networks infrastructures
02. SETUP THE SYSTEM
Setup the experimental
testbed and reproduce
intentional attacks
to stress the network synchronization
03. RUN THE TEST
Perform the test
campaign at 5Tonic
labs and collect
data for post
processing analysis
04. ASSESS THE BENEFITS
Compare state-of-the-art with
new solutions,
featuring protections
from the selected
attacks. Quantify
the benefits of ROOT solutions
THE PROJECT: PROGRESS TIMELINE
September 2022
AwaitingProject Final Workshop and Final Review
The Final Workshop of the ROOT Project will take place from 14.00 to 16.00 (CET) of September the 1st at EUSPA Headquarters in Prague. Results, learned lessons and reccomdations will be disseminated to the audience.
May 2022
AccomplishedProject Experimental Tests Review (ETR)
On the 5th of May, the ROOT Team met in Madrid at Telefonica premises for a highly significant milestone of the project, the Experimental Tests Review (ETR). The ETR was succesfully achieved.
March 2022
AccomplishedSecond Test Batch at Telefonica Technology and Automation Lab
In the second week of March (14-18), the ROOT Team was hosted at Telefonica Technology and Automation LAB in Madrid for the second batch of tests. We tested the ROOT solution not only against GNSS spoofing, meaconing, and jamming attacks but also against cyber-attacks. Partners are now analyzing the collected measurements and outcomes.
November 2021
AccomplishedTest running at Telefonica Technology and Automation Lab
Telefonica is hosting the project partners in Madrid to run the tests and check the reliability of the ROOT solution. In paralell, OSNMA “Public Observation phase” has been recently started on Galileo, and ROOT testing activities are going to assess its application on secure timing networks.
October 2021
AccomplishedPreparation of the test bed
The ROOT team is preparing for the test campaign. In Madrid, Telefonica is setting up their labs with a high-end GNSS antenna, oscilloscopes and needed equipment, while in Torino Politecnico and LINKS are finalizing GNSS and Cybersecurity test procedures to be performed at the ROOT testbed facilities in a plug and play fashion. In the meanwhile, Septentrio and Seven Solutions are updating and integrating their products to make the ROOT solution ready to receive and use the new Galileo OSNMA signal along with remote attestation to protect the network from malicious attacks.
September 2021
AccomplishedMid-Term Review
The whole project consortium, the officers from the EUSPA (former GSA) and the external officers virtually met to discuss about the project. The meeting focused on the achievements of the project and the status of the tests. All the activities to be carried on in the second half of the project have been planned.
May – June 2021
AccomplishedInternal Workshops for business planning
The consortium virtually met two times to carry on brain storming activites for the definition and fine tuning of the ROOT business model.
April 2021
AccomplishedScenarios and Test Plan definition
Design the test strategy for the different selected attacks. Definition of the test objectives for each test case and the measureable KPIs.
Resource planning: definition and procurement of hardware and software necessary to perform the attacks at signal and non-signal level, schedule and planning of the test logistics.
February – March 2021
AccomplishedThreats and synchronization vulnerabilities analysis
Definition of the vulnerabilities of the reference network architecture and identification of the most impacting attacks to GNSS time sources and transport hardware/protocols for the secure distribution of time synch.
December – January 2021
AccomplishedDefinition of secure 5G network synchronization
Investigation of the state-of-the-art synchronization technologies in telecommunications network and definition of a realistic and comprehensive reference architecture supporting ePRTC synchronization.
12 November 2020
TuesdayProject Kick-off
Under the sponsorship of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), ROOT had its official kick-off on the 12th of November 2020