Wireless Localization Using Encoded Signal Power Levels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless localization schemes for 802.11 networks are insecure and inefficient, particularly in detecting malicious users, as they rely on signal strength measurements that can be easily spoofed and require additional hardware, leading to poor accuracy and susceptibility to attacks.
Innovation Solution
A localization method using existing wireless network access points to transmit encoded signals at varying power levels, which are detected by wireless devices and reported back to a control device for determining the device's location, leveraging a database with access point location and transmission range information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If signal strength measurements are used for wireless localization, then localization can be performed using existing infrastructure, but the system becomes vulnerable to spoofing attacks and malicious users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from signal strength (RSSI) to transmission range determination through encoded signal detection. Access points transmit encoded signals at multiple power levels, and the wireless device determines which access points can be detected at each power level. This creates a unique detection pattern that is difficult to spoof while using existing 802.11 infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces encoded signals as an intermediary mechanism between the access points and the wireless device. These encoded signals serve as a mediator that carries location information in a secure manner, allowing the system to determine location without directly relying on vulnerable signal strength measurements.
2Measurement precision
If additional hardware is added to improve localization accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing access points multi-functional by enabling them to transmit encoded signals at multiple power levels for localization purposes, in addition to their normal wireless communication function. This eliminates the need for dedicated localization hardware while improving measurement precision through the encoded signal detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless device performs localization measurements using its own existing receiver capabilities without requiring additional specialized hardware. The device independently detects encoded signals from multiple access points and determines its location based on the detection patterns, making the system self-sufficient.
3Reliability
If transmission power levels are varied for localization, then security against spoofing improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access points transmit encoded signals at different power levels in a periodic or sequential manner rather than continuously at maximum power. The wireless device collects detection information across multiple power level transmissions, allowing secure localization while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-power transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A secure localization method for wireless networks utilizes access point variable transmission power capability to transmit encoded localization signals at different power levels to a wireless device in the network. Based on the particular combination of encoded signals collected by the wireless device and reported back to a network controller, the location of the wireless device may be determined in conjunction with information contained in a location database.