IoT Hub Secure Relay Architecture for Out-of-Range BLE Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT systems face challenges in efficiently managing and securing data transmission between IoT devices and hubs, particularly in scenarios where devices are out of range and in ensuring secure communication channels without formal pairing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an IoT platform that utilizes a hub-based architecture with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for local communication, an intermediary mobile device for data relay when out of range, and advanced encryption techniques using public key infrastructure and symmetric key exchange for secure data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used for local communication between IoT devices and hubs, then energy consumption is reduced and communication efficiency is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates when devices are out of range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary relay node between IoT devices and hubs when direct BLE communication is not possible due to out-of-range conditions. The mobile device receives data from the IoT device via BLE and forwards it to the hub through other communication channels, thereby maintaining communication reliability while preserving the low energy consumption benefits of BLE for local short-range communication.
2Reliability
If advanced encryption techniques using public key infrastructure and symmetric key exchange are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary key exchange and establishment of secure communication channels before actual data transmission. Public key infrastructure is used to establish initial secure connections, and symmetric keys are exchanged in advance. This preliminary security setup ensures that when data is transmitted, the encryption/decryption operations are straightforward and do not add significant complexity to the main data flow operations.
3Reliability
If an intermediary mobile device is used for data relay when devices are out of range, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic communication architecture where the system automatically selects between direct BLE communication and intermediary mobile device relay based on real-time connectivity conditions. When IoT devices are within range, direct communication is used for simplicity. When out of range, the system dynamically switches to using mobile devices as relays. This dynamic adaptation reduces overall system complexity by only activating the more complex relay mechanism when absolutely necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.