Drone Primary Channel Reset via Secondary Link

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The communication link used to control drones can be disrupted by unauthorized individuals, leading to hijacking or denial of service attacks, which is a critical issue in public safety scenarios where drones are used as first responders.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented to detect hijacked drones by disabling the primary communications channel and establishing a secondary channel, allowing the drone to navigate to a safe location and collect log data to identify new connection parameters that can restore the primary channel, thereby preventing unauthorized control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the primary communications channel is used for drone control, then real-time control and video transmission are enabled, but the system becomes vulnerable to hijacking and denial of service attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication channel securityVSAvoidhijacking and DOS attack vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is divided into two separate channels: a primary channel for real-time control and video transmission, and a secondary channel for monitoring and receiving updated connection parameters. This segmentation isolates the critical control function from the vulnerability exposure point, allowing the primary channel to maintain its real-time performance while the secondary channel handles security monitoring and parameter updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the primary communication channel's status through the secondary channel and uses this feedback to detect hijacking attempts or denial of service attacks. When anomalies are detected, the system receives updated connection parameters via the secondary channel and applies them to restore the primary channel, creating a closed-loop security response mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the primary communications channel is disabled to prevent hijacking, then security is improved, but real-time control capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone control securityVSAvoidreal-time control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of the primary channel's communication characteristics through the secondary channel before actual hijacking occurs. By analyzing parameters such as signal strength, data transmission patterns, and response times, the system can detect anomalies early and receive updated connection parameters proactively, allowing the primary channel to be restored before complete loss of control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary communications channel serves as an intermediary between the operator and the drone's primary communication system. It allows the operator to monitor the primary channel's health and receive security updates without directly controlling the drone through the potentially compromised primary channel, thus maintaining operational capability while ensuring security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a secondary communications channel is established for monitoring, then security monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication channel monitoringVSAvoiddual channel communication system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary communications channel is designed as a simpler, less resource-intensive channel that can be easily established and terminated. It uses basic monitoring capabilities rather than full-duplex communication, reducing the complexity overhead. The channel's primary function is to transmit monitoring data and connection parameters, not to support complex real-time control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary communications channel serves multiple functions: monitoring primary channel status, receiving updated connection parameters, and providing a backup communication path. This multi-functionality consolidates several security and monitoring tasks into a single channel, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated channels for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250024522A1Resetting a primary communications channel of a drone based on a new connection parameter received over a secondary communications channel

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Techniques for resetting a primary communications channel of a drone based on a new connection parameter received over a secondary communications channel are provided. It is detected that a drone is suspected of being hijacked. A primary communications channel to the drone that is used for flight operations is disabled. A secondary communications channel that is less suitable for flight control operations is established. At least one new connection parameter for the primary communications channel is received over the secondary communications channel. The primary communications channel is reset based on the at least one new connection parameter.