Detonator Encryption Key Group Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless detonator systems face inefficiencies due to the need to transmit a group identifier with each command, which increases communication overhead and slows data transfer rates, especially when using separate frequencies for group-specific control.
Innovation Solution
The method employs unique encryption keys associated with selected detonator assemblies or groups, stored both on the detonators and at a control location, to encrypt and decrypt messages, eliminating the need for group identifiers in commands and allowing faster communication by using a single frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate frequencies are used for group-specific control, then selective control of detonator groups is achieved, but data transfer rates decrease and communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the group identification function from the message content and embeds it in the encryption key itself. Each encryption key is uniquely associated with a specific detonator or group of detonators, so the key carries the identification information implicitly without requiring separate group identifiers in the message.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption key serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cryptographic security for message encryption and also acts as the group identifier for selective control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate frequency channels or additional identification data, maintaining high data transfer rates while enabling group-specific control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If group identifiers are transmitted with each command, then selective control is enabled, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The group identification information is extracted from the message body and embedded within the encryption key. This eliminates the need to transmit redundant group identifiers with each command, reducing communication overhead while maintaining selective control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The same encryption key is copied to multiple detonators within a group, allowing a single encrypted message to be selectively received and processed only by detonators possessing that specific key, without requiring additional identification data in the transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate frequencies are used for group-specific control, then group selection is achieved, but additional data transmission is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the group selection function with the encryption key distribution mechanism. By associating specific encryption keys with specific detonator groups and providing these keys only to authorized detonators, the system achieves group selection without requiring separate frequency channels or additional data transmission for group identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communicating with a detonator assembly wherein an encryption key associated with the detonator assembly is stored in the detonator assembly and a message, intended for the detonator assembly, is encrypted at the control location using the encryption key whereupon the encrypted message is transmitted to each of a plurality of detonator assemblies and each received message is decrypted and validated.