One-Way Data Bridge with Automatic Protocol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firewall and software systems are inadequate for providing reliable one-way data transfer, as they are difficult to validate and verify, and may be subject to misconfiguration, allowing data leakage or intrusions in the reverse direction, especially in high-security environments like industrial facilities and IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
A compact data diode device with a one-way data bridge, comprising processing elements and firmware that automatically detect communication protocols and configure data transmission, using optocouplers or other non-optical techniques to physically enforce one-way communication, allowing data to flow only from the source to the destination while preventing reverse flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software-based one-way data transfer systems are used, then data transfer can be restricted to unidirectional flow, but the systems are difficult to validate and verify, and may be subject to misconfiguration that allows data leakage or intrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based one-way data transfer systems with a hardware-based data diode that uses an opto-isolator to physically enforce unidirectional data flow. The optical coupling mechanism creates a physical barrier that prevents reverse data flow, eliminating the need for complex software validation and configuration verification while maintaining reliable one-way transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an opto-isolator as an intermediary component between the source and destination systems. This optical mediator converts electrical signals to light signals and back, creating electrical isolation while allowing data transmission in one direction only, thus solving the reliability issue without requiring complex validation software.
2Reliability
If traditional data diodes are used to protect critical infrastructure, then hardware-enforced one-way data transfer is achieved, but the devices are expensive and require customization by skilled implementation teams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal data diode device that can be deployed across various environments without extensive customization. The device incorporates automatic protocol detection and adaptive configuration capabilities, allowing a single model to work with different communication protocols and system types, thereby reducing implementation costs and eliminating the need for skilled customization while maintaining hardware-enforced reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service features in the data diode device, including automatic protocol detection, self-configuration, and onboard system detection. The device automatically adapts to the connected systems without requiring manual configuration by skilled technicians, making deployment simpler and more cost-effective while preserving the hardware-enforced one-way transfer capability.
3Reliability
If data diode devices require customization for different environments, then hardware enforcement is maintained, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the data diode device to automatically detect communication protocols and configure itself for different environments. The onboard processing elements detect the protocol being used and automatically adjust settings, eliminating the need for manual customization while maintaining hardware-enforced one-way communication, thus simplifying deployment without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation in the data diode device, allowing it to automatically adjust its configuration based on the detected protocol and environment. This dynamic capability enables the device to maintain hardware-enforced reliability while adapting to different deployment scenarios without requiring manual reconfiguration, thereby improving ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a hardware-enforced, reliable one-way data transfer, enhancing security by preventing data leakage and intrusions, and allowing a single model of the data diode to work across various environments without extensive configuration, thus improving the protection of critical infrastructure and IoT devices.
Implementation Method 1
An opto-isolator (also called an optocoupler) uses a optical emitter such as an LED that generates light responsive to electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor such as a phototransistor receives the light and converts the light into electrical signals
Implementation Method 3
Because there is electrical isolation between the two sides of the opto-isolator, this physically enforces one-way communication across the opto-isolator
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A data diode provides a flexible device for collecting data from a data source and transmitting the data to a data destination using one-way data transmission. On-board processing elements allow the data diode to identify automatically the type of connectivity provided to the data diode and configure the data diode to handle the identified type of connectivity.