Secure Communication Topology for Low-Power Location Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current location determination systems face challenges with noise interference and battery life, particularly in low-power transmissions, and require efficient methods to extract information from signals amidst noise and static, while maintaining security and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A secure communication topology is employed, where a locator transmits an encoded interrogation signal to a transponder, which responds with reply transmissions at precisely determined time delay intervals, using secretly known noise or noise-like signals, allowing for accurate distance measurement and location determination with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio through circular correlation and low-power operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If low-power transmissions are used to extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but signal extraction becomes difficult due to noise and static interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-synchronizing the locator and transponder, pre-establishing secret noise patterns, and pre-coordinating time delay intervals before actual communication. This allows the transponder to reply with low-power transmissions at precisely predicted times, enabling the locator to extract signals efficiently despite noise interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of noise and static into a benefit by using secret noise patterns that are deliberately introduced into the communication signal. These patterns, while appearing as noise to unauthorized parties, carry encoded information that can be extracted by the authorized locator through correlation processing, thus transforming interference into a useful signaling mechanism
2Measurement precision
If GPS and telephone systems are installed in vehicles for location tracking, then location determination capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder device is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can operate in multiple modes: it can provide precise location determination through time-delay measurement, enable secure communication through coded replies, and function as a general-purpose tracker. This consolidates what would otherwise require separate GPS receivers, transmitters, and processing systems into a single integrated device
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the transponder autonomously replies to locator interrogations using pre-programmed secret patterns and time delays, and the locator autonomously processes replies to determine position. This eliminates the need for complex centralized processing systems or multiple interconnected devices, as each unit independently performs its function using shared secret knowledge
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
This approach effectively extracts intelligence from low-power transmissions, enhances battery life by minimizing energy consumption, and maintains security through shared secret knowledge of noise patterns and delay times, improving location accuracy and reducing interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
the transponder can transmit one or more reply transmissions at precisely determined time delay intervals
Implementation Method 2
The reply transmissions can each correspond to previously stored or presently generated noise or noise-like signals, also secretly known by the transponder and the locator
Data Source
AI summary
A secure communication topology can be used for communications between a locator and one or more transponders to determine the location of the transponders. An example system may include a locator that is configured to transmit an interrogation signal that is encoded for receipt by one or more of the transponders. When a transponder receives and correlates the interrogation signal with an internally stored reference sequence, the transponder can transmit one or more reply transmissions at precisely determined time delay intervals. The time delay intervals are secretly known by both the locator and the transponder. The reply transmissions can each correspond to previously sampled noise signals that are also secretly known by both the transponder and the locator.