Traceable Timing Architecture with TMV for Jamming-Resistant Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the precise location of mobile devices, especially in urban environments or within buildings, are imprecise, which can lead to critical delays in emergency responses and navigation inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid architecture for traceable timing services using a Timing Validation Service (TMV) that combines multiple timing sources, including fiber and satellite-based systems, to validate and synchronize local clocks, detecting anomalies, and adjusting timing measurements to ensure accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If satellite-based time transfer methods are used, then time can be transferred over long distances, but the system is vulnerable to jamming and spoofing attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fiber optic cables as an intermediary medium for time transfer between the satellite receiver and the PNT beacons. This hybrid approach uses satellite signals for initial time acquisition but transitions to fiber-based time distribution for critical PNT infrastructure, thereby reducing direct exposure to satellite-based attacks while maintaining long-distance time transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines two different time transfer methods (satellite-based and fiber-based) into a hybrid architecture. This composite approach leverages the long-distance capability of satellite transfer while using fiber optics to provide a secure, jamming-resistant channel for distributing time to PNT beacons, thus resolving the contradiction between distance and security
2Reliability
If fiber services are used for time distribution, then exposure to satellite-based vulnerabilities is reduced, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fiber-based time distribution selectively and locally to PNT beacons that require high security and precision, rather than universally to all nodes. This allows critical infrastructure to benefit from the security and precision of fiber-based time transfer while other nodes can use more cost-effective satellite-based methods, thus balancing security requirements with cost considerations
3Measurement precision
If traceable timing services are implemented, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the cost increases due to requiring absolute time sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a distributed network of PNT beacons that each maintain synchronized time using fiber-based time transfer from a reference source. Instead of requiring every node to have direct access to expensive absolute time sources like NIST, the system copies the reference time through the fiber network to multiple PNT beacons, providing traceable timing services at lower cost while maintaining positioning accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Method includes receiving a first delay time and a first timing measurement by a TMV from a first receiver at a first node. The first timing measurement is generated by comparing a first time associated with a first signal to a first local clock time. The first signal is transmitted by a transmitter at a source. The TMV receives from a second receiver at a second node in a network, a second delay time and a second timing measurement. The second timing measurement is generated by comparing a second time associated with a second signal to a second local clock time. The second signal is transmitted by the transmitter at the source. The TMV generates a correction factor time based on the first timing measurement, the first delay time, the second timing measurement, and the second delay time. The TMV transmits the correction factor time to the second node.