UAV Communications Management Red Black Data Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) lack secure communications management capabilities, particularly in separating and routing 'red' and 'black' data, and do not have the flexibility to compensate for the absence of a human operator, leading to issues like line of sight voice 'step-on' due to beyond line of sight latency.
Innovation Solution
A communications management system for UAVs that selectively routes data between avionic subsystems and transceivers using configurable routers, separate red and black links, and gateway guardians to ensure secure and flexible data transmission, including buffering to mitigate latency-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional UAV communication systems are used, then the system is simple, but secure communications management capability is lacking and red/black data separation cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The communications management system is segmented into separate red links and black links for transmitting different security levels of data. The router is divided into multiple routing tables (red routing table, black routing table) that independently handle encrypted and unencrypted data packets respectively, enabling secure data separation without requiring a completely new monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
A gateway guardian acts as an intermediary between the transceiver and the routing system. It intercepts data packets, determines their security classification (red or black), and routes them through the appropriate routing table and link. This intermediary component enables secure communications management by mediating between the simple transceiver interface and the complex security requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manned aircraft communications management is simply split into air and ground parts, then the basic functionality is provided, but the desired flexibility and autonomy for UAV operations is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system dynamically adapts to changing operational conditions by maintaining multiple routing tables that can be selectively activated. The gateway guardian dynamically determines the appropriate routing table based on real-time data classification and operational context, providing flexibility without requiring complex manual reconfiguration or human operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The communications management system provides self-service through automated data classification and routing. The gateway guardian autonomously determines whether incoming data packets are red or black and routes them through the appropriate routing table without human intervention. This self-service capability compensates for the absence of human operators while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Productivity
If beyond line of sight latency is not compensated, then the system responds quickly to local conditions, but line of sight voice step-on occurs due to simultaneous transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing multiple routing tables and preparing alternative communication paths before conflicts occur. The gateway guardian is pre-configured with red and black routing tables that can be instantly activated based on detected transmission conditions, preventing voice step-on without requiring real-time complex calculations or delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communications management system, for example comprising a configurable router (9), and method, for an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), arranged to selectively route data between a plurality of avionic subsystems/communications resources (51 -55) on the UAV and a plurality of transceivers (81 -83) on the UAV, the routes selected being determined at least in part according to a desired red and black data separation of data to be transmitted from the transceivers (81 -83) and/or a red and black data separation of data being received by the transceivers (81 -83).