Secure LoRa frequency-hopping communication device

Abstract

Versatile device for secure LoRa communication with frequency hopping and key exchange. The invention relates to a device combining the use of the LoRa communication protocol with frequency range hopping techniques to transmit, receive and relay data, commands and messages. The device thus constituted allows to benefit from the following advantages: a large post with low power consumption, low detectability thanks to the LoRa modules integrated in our device and resilience to jamming and interception thanks to frequency evasion.

Description

Title of the invention: Secure LoRa communication device with frequency hopping

[0001] The invention relates to a highly secure discreet communication device using the LoRa protocol with frequency evasion by disjoint frequency ranges and by changing channels within each range, while being low power consumption. The LoRa communication protocol allows the transmission of short messages consisting of data packets and thus discreet communication. Our highly secure communication device is versatile because it transmits, receives and relays digital commands, messages in text format: text-LoRa, short voice messages previously transcribed into text then sending of this text by the LoRa modules integrated into our communication device: voice-text-LoRa.

[0002] For highly secure communication over distances of up to several kilometers, our communication device implements several LoRa modules to transmit and relay a message or a set of commands to control one or more actuators over long distances. It also allows field personnel to exchange and relay commands and information with maximum security and discretion.

[0003] The security aspect of our communication device is achieved by implementing a communication mechanism by frequency evasion on several disjoint frequency ranges and by channel change per frequency range according to a key transmitted in the exchanged message. It then becomes difficult to detect and locate our LoRa communication device, in particular by a frequency scanner. Our communication device is capable of constituting different topologies of static or mobile communication networks, and of using the network nodes as intermediate relays to increase the communication distance.

[0004] Our communication device is associated with sensors / actuators placed on the ground, and / or is carried by the man in the field who then becomes a dynamic node of the network.

[0005] Frequency evasion is a technique used in wireless communications to improve security and resistance to interference. This method involves changing the transmission frequency at regular intervals synchronized between the transmitter and receiver. The idea is to make it more difficult to detect and intercept signals, as well as to reduce the risks interference from other devices operating on the same frequency. By hopping frequencies at a rapid, pre-established rate, known as frequency evasion, the communications system can evade interception or jamming attempts, thereby increasing the security and confidentiality of wireless transmissions. This technique is frequently used in secure wireless systems and other sensitive applications.

[0006] LoRa is a low-power wireless communication technology designed primarily for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Unlike traditional frequency-hopping schemes, such as the frequency-hopping technique used in spread spectrum, LoRa uses frequency-modulation-based spread spectrum modulation and a technique called chirp spread spectrum. Chirp spread spectrum modulation allows LoRa to achieve long ranges while maintaining low power consumption. In general, LoRa's robustness to interference and its ability to pass through obstacles make it less vulnerable to the typical problems encountered by other wireless technologies. Although LoRa does not use frequency-hopping in the traditional sense, it has built-in mechanisms to manage interference and maintain reliable communications in harsh environments.

[0007] Thus, by coupling a frequency evasion approach by frequency range hopping and a LoRa approach, the multi-LoRa communication device thus created, the subject of this patent, has unrivaled advantages of range, discretion and robustness while being low consumption, constituting one of the main characteristics of the invention.

[0008] Carried or deposited, the communications devices as described above are also characterized by their capacity to constitute several communications network topologies:

[0009] - Point-to-Point (P2P) Network: Direct communication between two LoRa devices. It is a simple and straightforward configuration, ideal for applications requiring a direct link between two points.

[0010] -Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) Network: A central LoRa device communicates with multiple peripheral devices. This can be useful in applications such as surveillance, or any other case where a central point needs to collect data from multiple remote sensors.

[0011] -Mesh Network: A mesh network where each device can act as a relay node to extend the network's reach. This improves network coverage and resilience, allowing data to find the most efficient path between nodes.

[0012] -Private Network: An organization can deploy its own LoRaWAN network for specific needs, for example in a corporate campus or an industrial facility. This gives full control over the network and its performance.

[0013] -Hybrid Network: A combination of several configurations to meet specific needs. For example, a hybrid network may include P2P links for direct communication between certain devices and a Mesh network to extend the range.

[0014] The invention differs from the state of the art by the use of the UoRa communication protocol for multi-channel communication with hopping of disjoint frequency ranges. This characteristic allows the invention to have strong resilience in a noisy environment or even to radio frequency interference. In addition, this multi-frequency capability using the UoRa protocol makes the detection of communications between devices difficult to detect and intercept.

[0015] The highly secure communication device, the subject of this patent, is used as a versatile communication component for any object or sensor requiring the transmission of information to or from one or more other centralizing peripheral(s). It is used for sending commands to static or mobile devices such as drones, for example, but not limited to them, or even text-type messages: text-LoRa or voice-text-LoRa to people working in the field.

[0016] Our LoRa communication device, coupled with a screen and a keyboard-type control means that can be integrated into the screen as is the case, for example, with a telephone, a touch pad, a computer, etc., is used for the bidirectional transmission of text-type data: text-LoRa. Our LoRa multi-module communication device coupled with a computer screen for sending and receiving text data allows field personnel to exchange information discreetly and securely. Thus configured, our LoRa multi-module text communication device constitutes a resilient and discreet “walkie-talkie” type radio communication system.

[0017] Our LoRa multi-module communication device can be coupled to a voice recognition module for the text transcription of short messages before sending: voice-text-LoRa. The voice input is processed by an automatic transcription module by language recognition. In this use case, the transmission laws between LoRa multi-module communication devices can be adapted to guarantee the resilience of the transmission, its robustness to RF jamming, its security by fragmented transmissions on several channels and / or by adding a layer of encryption before sending. LoRa multi-module communication device by transposing speech into text thus constitutes a resilient and discreet “walkie-talkie” type radio communication system.

[0018] Thus, our invention differs from the state of the art by coupling two different approaches to the use of frequencies for communication purposes by the transmission of data. These data are commands to remote actuators, data from field sensors, text and short voice messages to field personnel and / or servers and centralizers.

[0019] The invention is distinguished in particular from patent WO2017129447A1-2017-08-03 which describes a computer synchronization method for a node in a cellular network. It describes a method for synchronizing a first LoRa gateway intended to allow the first to operate according to the class B communication mode. Our communication device uses the resources of the LoRa technology and protocol to transmit data, some of which will indicate the frequency band: LoRa NI, LoRa N 2,... Lora NN, as well as the number of the communication channel and the class of operation in the selected frequency band. Depending on the context of use, several synchronization modes exist between the communication devices such as synchronous transmissions allowing the sharing of a clock, the exchange of keys at initialization or even the use of blockchain between the communication devices.

[0020] The invention differs from patent WO2017068305A1 which describes a method for waking up a base station, corresponding actuator, base station and system. The invention relates to a method for waking up a base station (BS) of an access network of a first telecommunications network (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G). The waking up of the station occurs from a hibernation mode following the detection of a specific data packet received via a wired interface. Our communication device is entirely autonomous. An accelerometer integrated into our communication module ensures its intrinsic security by detecting illicit action. Our communication device can be taken out of hibernation mode by a message received in the manner of "Wake on Lan".

[0021] Patent EP4199548A1 is known, which describes a secure loT beacon in a localization and data exchange system. This patent describes a known and standard LoRa networking mechanism adapted to beacons that can be mobile and that can cover a dense network of beacons and nodes, which does not correspond to the operating mode of our communication device. In addition, the solution described in this patent has the defect not be protected against cyber attacks, in particular on the short-range Bluetooth link which does not guarantee the security of flows. Our communication device does not integrate Bluetooth communication. This patent EP4199548A1 claims a conventional electronic platform equipped with inputs-outputs and an encrypted communication protocol. This patent indicates that the beacon can be configured to transmit using a LoRa communication link in the ISM EU 868MHz or ISM US 915 MHz frequency band. The LoRa modules embedded in our communication device, the subject of this patent, make it possible to cover several distinct communication frequency bands and are not limited to ISM alone. The security and communication integrity aspects of the communication device which is the subject of our patent are achieved by an original frequency evasion mechanism including band and channel hopping and key exchange.

[0022] The Internet of Things (IoT) has strong applications in the field of security where it is developing rapidly. It ensures, via a cohesive network, resilient and discreet connectivity thus increasing local situational awareness with deposited / remote sensors, risk assessment and reducing response time.

[0023] The highly secure communication device, the subject of this patent, is also used as a communication component for any object or sensor requiring the bidirectional transmission of information and commands to or from one or more other centralizing peripheral(s).

[0024] The integration of signals from a set of diverse sensors, including static ground sensors, mobile on-board sensors and human-borne sensors as well as the remote control of actuators safely by the field man who must not be detected, intercepted or blocked, represent many critical challenges faced in the implementation of communications solutions in disturbed or hostile environments. These key points are managed by our versatile communication device, the subject of this patent.

[0025] Existing communication networks are not suitable for loBT applications in terms of range, autonomy and cost. In addition, depending on where the communication devices are to be positioned, coverage by conventional communication media may not be possible and / or available or even desirable, if only for reasons of security and discretion.

[0026] To achieve these objectives and overcome all these difficulties, the invention takes advantage of LoRa technology and frequency evasion by hopping frequency ranges. Our highly secure discreet communication device achieves management at distance of remote and / or deposited effectors / actuators, by sending and / or receiving orders, commands and / or readings of information and local data from sensors deposited in locations defined by the user.

[0027] Patent EP3637845A1 is known, which describes a communication method based on a frame transmission protocol. This patent proposes a communication method for transmitting a significant amount of data over a LoRaWAN type network. Our communication device, the subject of this patent, is based on technological building blocks that already integrate the entire frame communication protocol and containers intended to transport the useful data. Our communication device, the subject of this patent, is designed for small amounts of uplink or downlink data. Our communication device allows remote situation monitoring such as the collection of data from static or mobile field sensors.

[0028] Our highly secure communication device, the subject of this patent, is discreet, autonomous, communicating and versatile. It is energy autonomous and integrates one or more sensors allowing remote situation monitoring by the reading and transmission of uplink and / or downlink information from the deposited sensors and / or from a text interface to the transmission device and / or from a voice interface to text to the transmission device. The fields of use of this innovative approach are gigantic. Indeed, as soon as secure and wireless communication is necessary, our communication device finds its place. By moving from the Internet of Things ( loT , loBT ), to the monitoring of industrial machines or even secure communications, the device redefines the state of the art of long-distance secure communications, with low electromagnetic signature, low consumption for a low volume of data to be transmitted..

[0029] The inputs / outputs of the communication devices as described above are multiple and integrate or can integrate in particular electronic communication devices such as: GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Ethernet, etc.

[0030] This versatility of inputs / outputs makes it almost direct to use the communication device for monitoring installed sensors or even its integration into existing systems to increase their communication capacity.

[0031] In the case of the static or mobile remote autonomous sensor, our versatile communication device integrates a GPS location device. It can integrate one or more complementary sensors and communication device(s) without changing the nature of the patent.

[0032] Our versatile communication device is used by the field man to communicate securely, to relay information from node to node (static or dynamic), to interact with sensors / actuators positioned on the ground and equipped with our communication device.

Claims

Claims

1. LoRa multi-module communication device characterized in that it performs communication by frequency evasion on several disjoint frequency ranges and by changing channels by frequency range according to a key transmitted in the exchanged message.

2. LoRa multi-module communication device, as described in claim No. 1, characterized in that coupled with a computer screen for sending and receiving text-type data, it allows an exchange of information between text-LoRa field personnel.

3. LoRa multi-module communication device, as described in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it integrates voice recognition for the text transcription of short voice messages before sending (voice-text-LoRa).

4. LoRa multi-module communication device, as described in claim 1, characterized in that it can be used as an uplink and / or downlink communication component for any deposited or mobile actuator, for receiving data, orders and commands.

5. LoRa multi-module communication device, as described in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it integrates one or more sensors for local situation monitoring, data collection from sensors, remote control of actuators, implementation of a text interface to transmission device and a voice-to-text transposition interface to LoRa communication device.