Hybrid GPS Receiver with Segmented Civilian Military Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning systems face challenges in providing protected civilian aviation capabilities for military GPS receivers while maintaining security levels and economic certifiability to civilian standards, particularly in meeting stringent Design Assurance Levels for software and hardware.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid GPS receiver with physically separate first and second GPS processors, where the first processor handles civilian applications and the second processor handles military applications, including control of a digital antenna for anti-jamming operations, with a communication interface to share anti-jamming information and maintain security boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single GPS processor is used for both civilian and military applications, then device complexity is reduced, but security requirements and design assurance levels cannot be simultaneously satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS receiver is divided into two physically separate processors: a first GPS processor for civilian applications and a second GPS processor for military applications. This segmentation allows each processor to be independently designed and certified to meet its specific security and assurance requirements, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and security reliability.
2Reliability
If military-grade security measures are implemented, then security level is improved, but ease of manufacture and economic certifiability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the receiver into separate civilian and military processors, each can be manufactured and certified independently according to its required standard. The civilian processor can be economically certified to civilian aviation standards, while the military processor meets military security requirements, avoiding the need to certify an entire system to the more stringent military standard.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the two processors, allowing controlled information exchange (such as anti-jamming data) while maintaining security boundaries. This intermediary enables the system to achieve high security levels without requiring complete integration that would complicate manufacturing and certification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If civilian and military functions are integrated in a single system, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring security boundaries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical separation of processors creates naturally distinct data boundaries that are easy to detect and verify. Each processor has its own dedicated data paths and processing channels, making it straightforward to implement and verify security boundaries compared to attempting to separate data flows within a single integrated processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface serves as a controlled intermediary that manages all data exchange between the civilian and military processors. This intermediary provides a well-defined, measurable boundary for security analysis, allowing verification that sensitive military data does not improperly access civilian processing channels.
Data Source
AI summary
Hybrid systems capable of performing both civilian and military GPS functions with hardware-enforced separation of data boundaries are disclosed. A hybrid system may include a first position data processor configured to generate a first set of position data based on signals received from a satellite navigation system and signals received from a digital antenna. The hybrid system may also include a second position data processor configured to generate a second set of position data based on signals received from the satellite navigation system and signals received from the digital antenna. The hybrid system may further provide a communication interface established between the first position data processor and the second position data processor.