Signal Authentication Delay Buffer for Jamming Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal authentication systems in communications, particularly in GPS and spread spectrum applications, are inefficient and prone to jamming, requiring lengthy signal tracking and imposing design constraints that increase system size, complexity, and cost, while also being vulnerable to tampering and interference.
Innovation Solution
A communications system that incorporates a measurement delay buffer to postpone the generation of a local replica signal, preventing interference and jamming by delaying the detection of subsequent signals, and includes a user-adjustable clock mechanism to ensure secure authentication through a predetermined delay that exceeds the search window, thereby inhibiting unauthorized detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-tamper devices are employed to protect de-spreading sequences, then signal authentication security is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the de-spreading sequence from the physical hardware and represents it as data within a file system structure. This allows the sequence to be protected through standard file system security mechanisms rather than requiring specialized anti-tamper hardware, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the de-spreading sequence stored in different locations within the file system, with each copy protected by access control lists. This redundancy approach provides security without requiring complex hardware protection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If tamper-resistant containers are used to enclose signal-processing components, then security against tampering is improved, but system size and design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical tamper-resistant containers with a software-based file system security model. Instead of enclosing hardware components in protective containers, the de-spreading sequences are stored as protected files with access control lists, eliminating the need for bulky physical protection while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If conventional authentication systems are used to distinguish GPS signals from jamming, then signal authentication capability is improved, but signal tracking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication by checking access control lists and file permissions before initiating full signal processing. This pre-validation mechanism quickly filters out unauthorized signals without requiring lengthy tracking, thereby reducing authentication time while maintaining capability.
4Reliability
If de-spreading sequences are made distinguishable for authentication purposes, then authentication reliability is improved, but vulnerability to detection by other receivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different security attributes to different de-spreading sequences stored in the file system. Each sequence file can have unique access control lists and protection settings, allowing authentication reliability to be optimized for each specific sequence while controlling visibility and detection risks on an individual basis.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for inhibiting a potential interference source in a communications system. The system includes a first mechanism for incorporating a code within a signal. A second mechanism employs the code to decode the signal. A third mechanism for selectively prevents detection by the second mechanism of a subsequent signal employing the code. In a specific embodiment, the third mechanism incorporates a predetermined delay after receipt of the signal by the second mechanism. The predetermined delay is sufficient to prevent detection by the second mechanism of the subsequent signal employing the code. The code is a function of a time value associated with the signal. The subsequent signal incorporates the code and lacks a corresponding accurate time value due to the predetermined delay. Consequently, rebroadcast of the subsequent signal, which is a delayed signal, is less likely to interfere with the system communications.