System and method for secure communication of collected amphibious data

Abstract

system and method for secure communication of collected amphibious data is disclosed, which uses direct-sequence, spread spectrum, ultra wideband (DS-SS UWB) communications to enhance the security of the collected amphibious data during transmission over a wireless communication link. The UWB technique used transmits the collected data using very short pulses with low duty cycles. Thus, the power of the transmitted signals can be distributed evenly over a large bandwidth, and buried within the environmental noise (below the noise floor) to produce “stealth” transmissions. The transmitted signals can also be encrypted, which provides a wireless data communication transmission that is immune from jamming and masked from eavesdropping attempts. As one example, a system for secure communication of collected amphibious data is disclosed, which includes a DS-SS UWB transmitter and receiver. The DS-SS UWB transmitter includes a data input unit, a data encryption unit, a UWB encoder unit, a DS spectrum spreader function unit, and a power amplifier unit. The DS-SS UWB receiver includes a receiver front end unit, a data decryption unit, a DS spectrum despreader function unit, and a receiver filter unit. As another example, the DS-SS UWB transmitter and receiver are combined to provide a DS-SS UWB transceiver.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the data communications field, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a system and method for secure communication of collected amphibious data.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Amphibious or underwater data collection platforms (e.g., underwater sensors, submarines, diving craft, etc.) have to transmit collected data (e.g., image data, sensor data, sonar data, etc.) to remote locations having mission computer systems that process and analyze the gathered data. A typical amphibious data collection approach used is to continually gather and store data, and periodically dump the stored data for transmission to the mission computer system. In a non-hostile environment, the collected data can be transmitted (encrypted or unencrypted) in the open to a receiving station via a wireless data communications link. As such, in a non-hostile environment, wireless data communications provides a practical and effective ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The present invention provides a system and method for secure communication of collected amphibious data, which uses direct-sequence, spread spectrum, ultra wideband (DS-SS UWB) communications to enhance the security of the collected amphibious data during transmission over a wireless communication link. The UWB technique used transmits the collected data using very short pulses with low duty cycles. Thus, the power of the transmitted signals can be distributed evenly over a very large bandwidth, and buried within the environmental noise (below the noise floor) to produce “stealth” transmissions. The transmitted signals can also be encrypted, which provides a wireless data communication transmission that is immune from jamming and masked from eavesdropping attempts. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for secure communication of collected amphibious data is provided, which includes a DS-SS UWB transmitter and receiver. The DS-SS UWB transmitter includes a data input unit, a data encryption unit, a UWB encoder unit, a DS spectrum spreader function unit, and a power amplifier unit. The DS-SS UWB receiver includes a receiver front end unit, a data decryption unit, a DS spectrum despreader function unit, and a receiver filter unit. In a second embodiment, the DS-SS UWB transmitter and receiver are combined to provide a DS-SS UWB transceiver.

Problems solved by technology

However, in a high threat level, hostile environment (e.g., covert mission in an international setting), the security of the collected data has to be assured, and the transmission of the collected data has to be immune from eavesdropping and / or the effects of electronic countermeasures (e.g., jamming) that a hostile party may employ.

A problem with the existing wireless data communication systems is that the wireless data transmission technologies available are not designed with suitable security for covert or other hostile applications, and the wireless data communication systems being used are operated in crowded, unlicensed frequency bands.

Consequently, today's wireless data communication systems are highly susceptible to signal interference (e.g., jamming) and eavesdropping.

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