HARQ Artificial Noise for Secure Air-to-Ground Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure communication protocols, such as HARQ, are inadequate for air-to-ground communications due to low signal-to-noise ratios and the potential for eavesdroppers to decode transmissions, especially when the eavesdropper's channel quality exceeds that of the legitimate receiver.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid automatic-repeat-request (HARQ) protocol is combined with forward error correction (FEC) and artificial noise, where artificial noise is digitally introduced to data packets before transmission, ensuring that re-transmissions occur, allowing the legitimate receiver to cancel the noise and decode the message while preventing eavesdroppers from doing so.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional HARQ protocol is used for air-to-ground communication, then error correction capability is improved, but security against eavesdropping deteriorates because eavesdroppers can decode transmissions when their channel quality exceeds the legitimate receiver's
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by intentionally introducing artificial noise into the transmitted signal before it reaches the eavesdropper. This pre-emplaced noise counteracts the eavesdropper's ability to decode the signal, even when their channel quality is superior to the legitimate receiver's. The artificial noise is designed to degrade the eavesdropper's reception while preserving the legitimate receiver's ability to decode through noise cancellation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses artificial noise as an intermediary element between the transmitted signal and the eavesdropper. This intermediary degrades the signal quality for the eavesdropper without interfering with the legitimate communication. The artificial noise acts as a mediator that selectively impacts only the eavesdropper's reception, allowing the legitimate receiver to maintain secure communication despite the eavesdropper's superior channel conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If artificial noise is added to data packets to prevent eavesdropping, then security is improved, but the complexity of the communication protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the artificial noise introduction process with the existing HARQ error correction mechanism. By combining these two functions into a unified protocol, the system achieves both error correction and security enhancement without requiring separate independent systems. The artificial noise is introduced as part of the normal transmission process, and the noise cancellation is integrated into the received signal processing, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the communication protocol to simultaneously perform error correction, noise cancellation, and security enhancement. The same protocol mechanisms serve multiple purposes: the HARQ protocol handles both error correction for the legitimate receiver and provides the basis for artificial noise introduction for security. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
3Reliability
If re-transmissions are performed according to HARQ protocol, then data reliability is improved, but the eavesdropper's ability to decode the data packet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing artificial noise in each re-transmission according to the HARQ protocol. The artificial noise is designed to counteract the eavesdropper's decoding capability while maintaining the legitimate receiver's ability to successfully decode the data. This pre-emplaced noise ensures that even when re-transmissions occur, the eavesdropper cannot exploit these additional transmissions to improve their decoding success.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the feedback mechanism inherent in the HARQ protocol while incorporating artificial noise. The feedback from the legitimate receiver about transmission success or failure is used to determine when re-transmissions are necessary, while the artificial noise introduced in each transmission (including re-transmissions) continuously degrades the eavesdropper's capability. This feedback loop ensures that re-transmissions occur only when needed for the legitimate receiver, while the artificial noise prevents the eavesdropper from benefiting from these re-transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting a message from a sender to a receiver is provided, wherein the communication between the sender and receiver is performed using a hybrid automatic-repeat-request protocol. Artificial noise is added digitally to a first data packet in order to trigger transmission of a second data packet. Corresponding artificial noise is added digitally to the second data packet such that the receiver device can process the data packets together to remove the introduced artificial noise and extract the desired message. Also disclosed are methods where artificial noise is added to a predetermined set of plural data packets in a similar fashion.