Drone Encryption Communication System and Method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an encrypted communication system and an encrypted communication method for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The encrypted communication system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and a base station. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first encryption module and a first timer, and the base station includes a second encryption module and a second timer. The base station is configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle with an initial flight instruction. In the initial mode, the second encryption module of the base station encrypts the initial password, flight approval code, initial flight instruction, and timestamp of the base station into a first password and a second password. The unmanned aerial vehicle receives the first password and the second password, decodes the second password into the initial flight instruction, and generates a third password using the decoded initial flight instruction, initial password, flight approval code, and timestamp. When the third password is consistent with the first password, the unmanned aerial vehicle executes a flight action according to the flight instruction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an encrypted communication system and method, and particularly to an encrypted communication system and method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication networks, applications such as UAVs, autonomous vehicles, and robots have become increasingly widespread. Generally speaking, when transmitting information over the above-mentioned communication networks, the information is often encrypted to prevent hackers from intruding and stealing the information content, thereby affecting or controlling the communication devices in the communication network.

[0003] The existing communication encryption method for UAVs is to preset a password at the base station and the UAV respectively. The base station first encrypts the command information issued by the user using the password. After the UAV receives the encrypted information transmitted from the base station, it decodes the encrypted information into decoded information according to the preset password. However, the password of the above-mentioned communication encryption method is relatively single and has weak anti-interference ability. Therefore, the information is easily stolen or cracked, thereby affecting flight safety.

[0004] Therefore, how to develop an encrypted communication system and method for UAVs that can improve the above-mentioned existing technologies is an urgent need at present. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an encrypted communication system and method for a UAV. The UAV uses a password rule that changes with time to compare multiple passwords transmitted from the base station to confirm the flight instruction. Thereby, the security of the encrypted information can be increased to prevent the information from being cracked, and the anti-interference ability can be enhanced, thereby ensuring flight safety.

[0006] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an encrypted communication system for a UAV, including a UAV and a base station. The UAV includes a first encryption module and a first timer. The base station is configured to control the UAV with an initial flight instruction. The base station includes a second encryption module and a second timer. The first timer and the second timer are configured to synchronously generate a time stamp, and the time stamp corresponds to the time of the initial flight instruction. In the initial mode, the UAV and the base station respectively obtain an initial password and a flight approval code. The second encryption module of the base station encrypts the initial password, the flight approval code, the initial flight instruction, and the time stamp into a first password, and encrypts the initial flight instruction and the time stamp into a second password. The base station transmits the first password and the second password to the UAV. The UAV receives the first password and the second password. The first encryption module of the UAV decodes the second password into the initial flight instruction, and generates a third password using the decoded initial flight instruction, the initial password, the flight approval code, and the time stamp. When the third password is the same as the first password, the UAV executes a flight action according to the initial flight instruction.

[0007] According to the concept of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an encrypted communication method for a drone, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a drone and a base station, wherein the drone and the base station respectively obtain an initial password and a flight approval code; (b) using the encryption module of the base station to encrypt the initial password, flight approval code, flight instruction and timestamp of the base station into a first password, and encrypt the flight instruction and timestamp into a second password; (c) transmitting the first password and the second password to the drone; (d) using the first encryption module of the drone to decode the second password into a flight instruction, and generating a third password by using the decoded flight instruction, initial password, flight approval code and timestamp; (e) comparing whether the third password is consistent with the first password, and if the comparison result is consistent, performing step (f); and (f) performing a flight action according to the flight instruction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an encrypted communication system for a drone according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of an encrypted communication method for a drone according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of an encrypted communication method for a drone according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] SYMBOL DESCRIPTION

[0012] 1: Encrypted communication system

[0013] 2: Drone

[0014] 20: First encryption module

[0015] 21: First timer

[0016] 3: Base station

[0017] 30: Second encryption module

[0018] 31: Second timer

[0019] C0: Initial password

[0020] C1: Drone password chain

[0021] C2: Base station password chain

[0022] B: First password

[0023] BB: Second password

[0024] B’: Third password

[0025] D: First instruction update password

[0026] DD: Second instruction to update password

[0027] D’: Third instruction to update password

[0028] E: First password to update password

[0029] E’: Third password to update password

[0030] S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S100: Steps Detailed implementation manners

[0031] Some typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present disclosure can have various changes in different embodiments, all of which do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure, and the descriptions and illustrations therein are for illustrative purposes in nature and not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an encryption communication system applicable to an unmanned aerial vehicle for a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 1 shown, the encryption communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle includes an unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and a base station 3. The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 includes a first encryption module 20 and a first timer 21. The base station 3 is configured to control the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 with an initial flight instruction, and the base station 3 includes a second encryption module 30 and a second timer 31. The first timer 21 and the second timer 31 are configured to synchronously generate time stamps, and the time stamps correspond to the time of the initial flight instruction. Among them, the first encryption module 20 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 have the same encryption rule.

[0033] The encryption communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle has an initial mode. In the initial mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 are in an initial state. The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 respectively obtain an initial password C-0 and a flight approval code. The second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 encrypts the initial password C-0, the flight approval code, the initial flight instruction, and the time stamp of the base station 3 into a first password B, and encrypts the initial flight instruction and the time stamp into a second password BB. The base station 3 transmits the first password B and the second password BB to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2. The flight approval code is issued by relevant units in each country. The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 receives the first password B and the second password BB. The first encryption module 20 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 decodes the second password BB into the initial flight instruction, and based on the decoded initial flight instruction, the initial password C0, the flight approval code, and the time stamp, the first encryption module 20 generates a third password B’. When the third password B’ is consistent with the first password B, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 executes a flight action according to the initial flight instruction.

[0034] The drone of the present disclosure compares two sets of passwords transmitted from the base station using a password rule that changes over time to confirm the flight instruction. Thereby, the security of the encrypted information can be increased to avoid the information being cracked, and the anti-interference ability can be enhanced, thus ensuring flight safety.

[0035] In some embodiments, when the third password B' is generated, the drone 2 uses it as the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2, and when the first password B is generated, the base station 3 uses it as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3. And since the third password B' is the same as the first password B, when the drone 2 uses the third password B' as the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2 and the base station 3 uses the first password B as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3, the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2 and the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3 are updated synchronously.

[0036] The encrypted communication system 1 of the drone has a flight instruction update mode. When the subsequent base station 3 receives an updated flight instruction, the encrypted communication system 1 of the drone executes the flight instruction update mode. At this time, the drone 2 and the base station 3 perform operations such as encryption, password transmission, and decryption similar to those in the initial mode. The following illustrates the specific operation when an updated flight instruction is received once. When the base station 3 receives an updated flight instruction, the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 encrypts the base station password chain C2, the flight approval code, the updated flight instruction, and the timestamp into the first instruction update password D, and encrypts the updated flight instruction and the timestamp into the second instruction update password DD. The base station 3 transmits the first instruction update password D and the second instruction update password DD to the drone 2. The drone 2 receives the first instruction update password D and the second instruction update password DD. The first encryption module 20 of the drone 2 decodes the second instruction update password DD into the updated flight instruction, and based on the decoded updated flight instruction, the drone password chain C1, the flight approval code, and the timestamp, the first encryption module 20 generates the third instruction update password D'. When the third instruction update password D' is the same as the first instruction update password D, the drone 2 executes the flight action according to the updated flight instruction. In addition, when the third instruction update password D' is generated, the drone 2 uses it as the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2, and when the first instruction update password D is generated, the base station 3 uses it as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3. And since the third instruction update password D' is the same as the first instruction update password D, when the drone 2 uses the third instruction update password D' as the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2 and the base station 3 uses the first instruction update password D as the base station password chain C2, the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2 and the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3 are updated synchronously.

[0037] The encrypted communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle has a password update mode. When the base station 3 has not received an updated flight instruction after an interval of time, the encrypted communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle executes the password update mode. In the password update mode, the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 encrypts the base station password chain C2, the flight approval code, the preset flight instruction, and the time stamp into the first password update password E. The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 uses the first encryption module 20 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 to encrypt the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1, the flight approval code, the preset flight instruction, and the time stamp into the third password update password E'. In addition, when the third password update password E' is generated, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 uses it as the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, and when the first password update password E is generated, the base station 3 uses it as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3. Since the updated flight instruction has not been received, the first password update password E and the third password update password E' are the same. In addition, since the third password update password E' is the same as the first password update password E, when the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 uses the third password update password E' as the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 uses the first password update password E as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3, the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3 are updated synchronously. Wherein, the preset flight instructions of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 do not include any instructions that cause changes in the flight actions of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2.

[0038] The encrypted communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle in this embodiment has an initial mode, a flight instruction update mode, and a password update mode. When initially controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, the base station 3 first executes the initial mode and updates the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C-1 and the base station password chain C2 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 respectively when executing the initial mode. When the base station 3 receives an updated flight instruction, the encrypted communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle executes the flight instruction update mode and updates the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1 and the base station password chain C2 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 respectively when executing the flight instruction update mode. When the base station 3 has not received an updated flight instruction after an interval of time, the encrypted communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle executes the password update mode and updates the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain C1 and the base station password chain C2 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the base station 3 respectively after executing the password update mode.

[0039] The unmanned aerial vehicle of the present disclosure uses a password rule that changes over time to compare two sets of passwords transmitted from the base station to confirm the flight instruction. And when no updated flight instruction is received, it still continuously updates the unmanned aerial vehicle password chain and the base station password chain of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the base station respectively using the dynamically changing password rule. Thereby, the security of the encrypted information can be increased to avoid the information being cracked, and the anti-interference ability can be enhanced, thus ensuring flight safety.

[0040] In the initial mode, the drone 2 and the base station 3 can obtain the initial password C0, for example, but not limited to, through electronic transmission, wireless transmission, wired transmission, oral transmission, or written transmission, etc.

[0041] The base station 3 receives the flight instruction in ways including manual control of the base station 3 by the user or issuing the flight instruction by automatic control of the base station 3. In addition, in some embodiments, the communication method between the base station 3 and the drone 2 can be, for example, but not limited to, wireless transmission, microwave transmission, or wired transmission.

[0042] The second timer 31 of the base station 3 generates a time signature, and the base station 3 transmits the time signature to the drone 2. The drone 2 receives the time signature and uses the time signature to calibrate and synchronize the first timer 21 of the drone 2, thereby synchronizing the time of the drone 2 and the base station 3.

[0043] In some embodiments, the flight actions included in the flight instruction are at least one of forward flight, backward flight, left flight, right flight, upward flight, downward flight, rotational flight, accelerating flight, decelerating flight, takeoff, and landing.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first password and the third password respectively generated by the first encryption module 20 of the drone 2 and the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 in the initial mode are respectively a blockchain password. The first instruction update password and the third instruction update password respectively generated by the first encryption module 20 of the drone 2 and the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 in the flight instruction update mode are respectively a blockchain password. The first password update password and the third password update password respectively generated by the first encryption module 20 of the drone 2 and the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 in the password update mode are respectively a blockchain password. Among them, each blockchain password includes a parent password and a child password. The parent password of the password generated later in time by the encryption module is the child password of the password generated in the previous time. For example, in the case where the encryption communication system 1 of the drone executes the password update mode after executing the initial mode, the third password B' and the third password update password E' are successively generated by the second encryption module 30. Among them, the parent password of the third password update password E' is the child password of the third password B'.

[0045] In some embodiments, the encryption communication system 1 of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a plurality of UAVs 2 and a plurality of base stations 3. Among them, the first encryption module 20 in each UAV 2 and the second encryption module 30 in each base station 3 have the same encryption rule in this embodiment. Each base station 3 covers a corresponding signal range respectively. Any base station 3 can perform operations such as encrypting, transmitting passwords, decrypting, and updating the password chain on the UAV 2 flying within the corresponding signal range as described above. In addition, when the UAV 2 flies into the signal range of another base station 3, the UAV 2 stops operations such as encrypting, transmitting passwords, decrypting, and updating the password chain with the previous base station and starts to perform operations such as encrypting, transmitting passwords, decrypting, and updating the password chain with the new base station 3, so as to realize the conversion of the base station control right of the UAV 2 in the air without interrupting the flight. In some embodiments, the encryption communication system 1 of the UAV includes one base station 3 and a plurality of UAVs 2, and the base station 3 can simultaneously perform operations such as encrypting, transmitting passwords, decrypting, and updating the password chain on the plurality of UAVs 2.

[0046] Figure 2 The flowchart of the encryption communication method of the UAV according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The encryption communication method of the UAV of the present disclosure is applicable to the encryption communication system 1 of the UAV described above. As Figure 2 shown, the encryption communication method of the UAV of the present disclosure includes the following steps. In step S1, a UAV 2 and a base station 3 are provided, where the UAV 2 and the base station 3 respectively obtain an initial password C0 and a flight approval code. In step S2, the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3 encrypts the initial password C0, the flight approval code, the flight instruction, and the time stamp into a first password B, and encrypts the flight instruction and the time stamp into a second password BB. In step S3, the first password B and the second password BB are transmitted to the UAV 2. In step S4, the first encryption module 20 of the UAV 2 decodes the second password BB into a flight instruction, and generates a third password B' by using the decoded flight instruction, the initial password C0, the flight approval code, and the time stamp. In step S5, it is determined whether the third password B' is consistent with the first password B. If the comparison result is consistent, step S6 is executed. In step S6, a flight action is performed according to the flight instruction.

[0047] In some embodiments, in step S4, when the UAV 2 generates the third password B', it uses it as the UAV password chain C1 of the UAV 2, and when the base station 3 generates the first password B, it uses it as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3.

[0048] Figure 3 The flowchart of the encryption communication method of the UAV according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The encryption communication method of the UAV of the present disclosure is applicable to the encryption communication system 1 of the UAV described above, where Figure 2Similar steps are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described herein again. As Figure 3 shown, the encrypted communication method of the drone of the present disclosure further includes the following steps after step S6: In step S7, it is determined whether an updated flight instruction is received. If the determination result is yes, step S9 is executed; if the determination result is no, step S8 is executed. In step S8, the base station password chain C2, the flight approval code, the preset flight instruction, and the timestamp are encrypted into a first password update password E by the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3, and the drone password chain C1, the flight approval code, the preset flight instruction, and the timestamp are encrypted into a third password update password E' by the first encryption module 20 of the drone 2. When the third password update password E' is generated, the drone 2 uses it as the drone password chain C1 of the drone 2. When the first password update password E is generated, the base station 3 uses it as the base station password chain C2 of the base station 3, and step S7 is executed again. In step S9, the base station password chain C2, the flight approval code, the updated flight instruction, and the timestamp are encrypted into a first instruction update password D by the second encryption module 30 of the base station 3, and the updated flight instruction and the timestamp are encrypted into a second instruction update password DD. In step S10, the first instruction update password D and the second instruction update password DD are transmitted to the drone 2. In step S11, the second instruction update password DD is decoded into an updated flight instruction by the first encryption module 20, and the first encryption module 20 generates a third instruction update password D' by using the decoded updated flight instruction, the drone password chain C1, the flight approval code, and the timestamp. In step S12, it is compared whether the third instruction update password D' is consistent with the first instruction update password D. If the comparison result is consistent, step S13 is executed. In step S13, a flight action is executed according to the updated flight instruction.

[0049] In summary, the present disclosure provides an encrypted communication system and method for a drone. Among them, the drone uses a password rule that changes over time to compare multiple groups of passwords transmitted from the base station to confirm the flight instruction. Thereby, the security of the encrypted information can be increased to avoid the information being cracked, and the anti-interference ability can be enhanced, thereby ensuring flight safety.

[0050] It should be noted that the above are only preferred embodiments proposed to illustrate the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims. And the present disclosure can be variously modified by those skilled in the art, but all do not depart from what the claims intend to protect.

Claims

1. An encrypted communication system for a drone, comprising: A drone, comprising a first encryption module and a first timer; and A base station configured to control the drone with an initial flight instruction, wherein the base station comprises a second encryption module and a second timer, the first timer and the second timer are configured to synchronously generate a timestamp, and the timestamp corresponds to the time of the initial flight instruction; Among them, The encrypted communication system of the drone has an initial mode. In the initial mode, the drone and the base station respectively obtain an initial password and a flight approval code. The second encryption module of the base station encrypts the initial password, the flight approval code, the initial flight instruction, and the timestamp into a first password, and encrypts the initial flight instruction and the timestamp into a second password. The base station transmits the first password and the second password to the drone. The drone receives the first password and the second password. The first encryption module of the drone decodes the second password into the initial flight instruction, and uses the decoded initial flight instruction, the initial password, the flight approval code, and the timestamp to generate a third password with the first encryption module, wherein when the third password is consistent with the first password, the drone executes a flight action according to the initial flight instruction.

2. The encrypted communication system of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The drone uses the third password as a drone password chain of the drone when the third password is generated, and the base station uses the first password as a base station password chain of the base station when the first password is generated.

3. The encrypted communication system of the drone as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The encrypted communication system of the drone has a flight instruction update mode. In the flight instruction update mode, the base station receives an updated flight instruction. The second encryption module of the base station encrypts the base station password chain, the flight approval code, the updated flight instruction, and the timestamp into a first instruction update password, and encrypts the updated flight instruction and the timestamp into a second instruction update password. The base station transmits the first instruction update password and the second instruction update password to the drone. The drone receives the first instruction update password and the second instruction update password. The first encryption module of the drone decodes the second instruction update password into the updated flight instruction, and uses the decoded updated flight instruction, the drone password chain, the flight approval code, and the timestamp. The first encryption module generates a third instruction update password. When the third instruction update password is consistent with the first instruction update password, the drone executes a flight action according to the updated flight instruction. The drone uses the third instruction update password as the drone password chain when the third instruction update password is generated, and the base station uses the first instruction update password as the base station password chain when the first instruction update password is generated.

4. The encrypted communication system of the drone according to claim 2, wherein, The encryption communication system of the drone has a password update mode. In this password update mode, the second encryption module of the base station encrypts the base station password chain, the flight approval code, a preset flight instruction, and the timestamp into a first password update password. The drone uses the first encryption module of the drone to encrypt the drone password chain, the flight approval code, the preset flight instruction, and the timestamp into a third password update password. When the third password update password is generated, the drone takes it as the drone password chain, and when the first password update password is generated, the base station takes it as the base station password chain.

5. The encrypted communication system of the drone according to claim 4, wherein, In this password update mode, the preset flight instruction of the drone and the base station does not contain any instruction that causes a change in the flight action of the drone.

6. The encrypted communication system of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The second timer generates a time signature. The base station transmits the time signature to the drone. The drone receives the time signature and uses the time signature to calibrate and synchronize the first timer.

7. The encrypted communication system of the drone according to claim 1, wherein, The flight action included in the flight instruction is at least one of flying forward, flying backward, flying left, flying right, flying up, flying down, accelerating, decelerating, taking off, and landing.

8. The encryption communication system of the drone according to claim 1, wherein the encryption communication system of the drone includes a plurality of drones and a plurality of base stations. Each base station covers a signal range respectively. Any base station performs encryption, password transmission, decryption, and password chain update operations on the drones flying within the signal range.

9. A method for encrypting communication of a drone, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a drone and a base station, wherein the drone and the base station respectively obtain an initial password and a flight approval code; (b) using a second encryption module of the base station to encrypt the initial password, the flight approval code, a flight instruction, and a timestamp into a first password, and encrypting the flight instruction and the timestamp into a second password; (c) transmitting the first password and the second password to the drone; (d) using a first encryption module of the drone to decode the second password into the flight instruction, and generating a third password using the decoded flight instruction, the initial password, the flight approval code, and the timestamp; (e) comparing whether the third password is the same as the first password. If the comparison result is the same, execute step (f); and (f) performing a flight action according to the flight instruction.

10. The method for encrypting communication of a drone according to claim 9, wherein in step (d), when the third password is generated, the drone takes it as a drone password chain of the drone, and when the first password is generated, the base station takes it as a base station password chain of the base station.

11. The encryption communication method of the drone as claimed in claim 9, wherein, A second timer generates a time signature. The base station transmits the time signature to the drone. The drone receives the time signature and uses the time signature to calibrate and synchronize a first timer.

12. The encryption communication method of the drone according to claim 9, wherein, The flight actions included in the flight instruction are at least one of forward flight, backward flight, left flight, right flight, upward flight, downward flight, accelerating flight, decelerating flight, takeoff and landing.

13. The encrypted communication method for an unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the encrypted communication system of the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles and a plurality of base stations. Each base station respectively covers a signal range, and any one of the base stations performs operations of encrypting, transmitting a password, decrypting and updating a password chain on the unmanned aerial vehicle flying within the signal range.

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