Virtual Timing Markers for Jam-Resistant GPS Navigation
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional physical timing markers in navigation and GPS systems are vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and interference, require high-capacity channels, and are constrained by frequency allocation, making them costly and unreliable for precise positioning and timing.
Innovation Solution
The use of virtual timing markers, which are message-based and can be encrypted, redundant, and delay-tolerant, allowing them to share transmission channels with other signals, reducing the need for dedicated bandwidth and improving resistance to interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical timing markers are used in GPS signals, then precise positioning and timing can be achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that verifies the legitimacy of timing markers before they are used for positioning. This mediator system checks cryptographic signatures and validates signal authenticity, thereby maintaining positioning precision while blocking jamming and spoofing attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and verification of timing markers before they are processed for positioning calculations. By pre-validating the authenticity and integrity of timing signals through cryptographic checks, the system prevents malicious signals from compromising positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If physical timing markers are used, then precise timing information can be obtained, but high-capacity dedicated channels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines timing marker transmission with existing communication channels and data streams. By multiplexing timing information with other signal content and utilizing shared infrastructure, the system achieves precise timing without requiring separate high-capacity dedicated channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables existing communication channels to serve multiple functions simultaneously - carrying both data/voice traffic and precise timing markers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated timing channels while maintaining timing precision through efficient spectrum utilization.
3Productivity
If traditional GPS infrastructure is deployed, then positioning services can be provided, but the cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-organizing network where participating devices contribute to the timing infrastructure by relaying and validating timing markers from multiple sources. This distributed approach eliminates the need for expensive centralized infrastructure while maintaining continuous positioning service availability through cooperative networking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses virtual timing markers that are cryptographic copies or representations of actual timing signals. These virtual markers can be generated and validated without requiring physical satellite infrastructure, reducing deployment costs while maintaining positioning service availability through software-based timing synthesis.
Data Source
AI summary
Traditional “low-to-high waveform change” timing markers, in navigation or GPS signals, can be easily naturally or maliciously altered and require unshareable, high-resolution, high-capacity channels, often not government available. Whereas, message text format methods include proven error correction, redundancy, encryption, jam-resistance, concealability, spoof-resistance, multiuser, delayable messaging, channel efficiency, and downstream authentication. Herein, “virtual timing markers” exploit message format strengths and more. Because many navigating platforms also communicate voice, messages, or data, platforms and multiuser messages can simultaneously and unintrusively share the same transmission signal, which reduces onboard hardware, needed channel capacity, radio frequencies, costs, and infrastructure. FAA mandated, airliner collision avoidance broadcasts of their GPS location can unintrusively commingle navigation messages with aforementioned strengths as precise derivative GPS timing markers on existing, prolific broadcasts having 1000× greater power levels. “Relayed transmission pathways” can eliminate cumbersome traditional nanosecond synchronization of navigation transmitters or exploit inclusion of happenstance neighborhood transmitters. Additional features.