Smart Antenna USB Signal Extension for Secure TEMPEST Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data reliant organizations face challenges in maintaining secure wireless communication among geographically dispersed locations, particularly in scenarios where router installation within secure facilities like TEMPEST certified facilities results in inadequate wireless signal strength due to signal attenuation in long cable runs, and moving the router to a non-secure location compromises security and vulnerability to interception.
Innovation Solution
A secure USB signal extension apparatus with format converter and booster devices, along with a smart antenna system that uses multiplexer/de-multiplexer circuits and proprietary protocols for long-range transmission, maintains signal integrity and security by converting and boosting USB signals between secure and non-secure facilities, and employs omnidirectional antennas and transceivers for reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the router is installed within a secure facility, then data security is maintained, but wireless signal strength becomes inadequate due to signal attenuation in long cable runs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the router functionality into two separate components: a secure router located within the TEMPEST-certified facility and a remote antenna unit positioned outside where signal strength is adequate. These segments are connected via USB extension apparatus, allowing the router to maintain security while the antenna operates in an optimal signal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A USB extension apparatus with multiplexer/demultiplexer circuits acts as an intermediary between the router and antenna. This intermediary converts and transmits signals over extended distances through secure cable connections, enabling the router to communicate with the remote antenna while maintaining both security and signal integrity.
2Power
If the antenna is moved outside the secure facility to improve signal access, then wireless signal strength improves, but cable attenuation limits the maximum distance to about ten feet
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the traditional RF signal transmission mechanism with USB-based digital signal transmission. By converting RF signals to USB signals for transmission over the cable connection, the system achieves extended transmission distances beyond the typical 10-foot limitation of coaxial cables, while maintaining signal integrity through active boosting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission medium and signal parameters by using USB signaling instead of traditional RF coaxial transmission. This parameter change enables longer cable runs with active signal boosting, transforming the physical constraints of cable attenuation into a workable solution with extended range capability.
3Power
If the router is moved to a non-secure location to achieve favorable signal access, then wireless signal strength improves, but vulnerability to interception and tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the router and antenna into separate units positioned in different locations. The router remains within the secure facility where data processing and sensitive operations occur, while only the passive antenna element is positioned outside for optimal signal reception, minimizing security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB extension apparatus with multiplexer/demultiplexer serves as a secure intermediary that maintains encrypted digital signal transmission between the router and antenna. This intermediary ensures that even though the antenna is physically separated, the data transmission remains secure and protected from interception.
Data Source
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AI summary
A smart antenna apparatus includes a casing, which supports an omnidirectional antenna array; a plurality of transceivers electrically connected with the antenna array; and a format converter and booster device electrically connected between the plurality of transceivers and a network port, said format converter and booster device comprising a multiplexer/de-multiplexer circuit for encoding plural USB signals from the plurality of transceivers to the network port and for decoding plural USB signals from the network port to the plurality of transceivers