Waveform Authentication via Synthetic Echo Watermarking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy radio waveforms, such as those used in aircraft communication systems, lack strong authentication mechanisms, making them vulnerable to tampering and interference, and do not allow for efficient coordination between radios using different modulation schemes or spectra.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to embed watermark information into radio signals as a synthetic echo, using transmitted-reference modulation, which allows for authentication and supplemental data transmission without modifying the underlying waveform, enabling radios to communicate and coordinate across different modulation schemes and spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If watermark information is embedded in legacy radio waveforms using transmitted-reference modulation, then authentication and supplemental data transmission are enabled, but the underlying waveform structure remains unchanged which may limit control over the embedded information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the underlying radio waveform as an intermediary carrier to transmit watermark information. The waveform itself acts as a mediator that conveys authentication and supplemental data without requiring modification of the waveform generation system. This is achieved by embedding a delayed and scaled copy of the waveform (watermark) into the transmitted signal, allowing legacy systems to provide authentication while maintaining waveform compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The watermark is created by copying the underlying radio waveform and applying transformations (delay and scaling). This copied version serves as the authentication carrier, allowing the system to verify authenticity without altering the original waveform structure. The copying approach enables simple implementation using readily available waveform data from legacy systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If watermark information is added to legacy waveforms, then cross-radio communication and coordination are enabled, but the waveform itself cannot be controlled which limits authentication strength
Solution Approach 1:
The watermark embedding system is designed to be universal and compatible with legacy radio waveforms without requiring control over waveform generation. The same watermarking approach can be applied across different radio systems and modulation schemes, enabling cross-radio communication and coordination while maintaining authentication capabilities through the consistent use of transmitted-reference modulation.
3Loss of information
If a synthetic channel is imposed on the underlying waveform to embed information, then authentication information can be transmitted, but the embedded information may be confused with naturally occurring channel effects
Solution Approach 1:
The watermark is created by applying specific parameter transformations to the underlying waveform, namely time delay and amplitude scaling. These controlled parameter changes create a distinguishable synthetic channel effect that can be detected through correlation techniques. The receiver knows the expected delay and scaling parameters, allowing it to differentiate the embedded watermark from random natural channel variations through matched filtering and correlation analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods to add information to an existing waveform. Specifically, the systems and methods described herein can add watermark information using transmitted-reference to a legacy waveform without actually controlling the legacy waveform itself.