Wireless Relay Device Decrypts Data to Reduce Battery Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems in industrial settings face challenges in efficiently managing communication resources and battery life, particularly when relaying encrypted data, and are hindered by the need for repeated operations and potential system failures that disrupt data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A wireless relay device with a relay controller and encryption processor that decrypts and re-encrypts data as needed, allowing for efficient relaying of encrypted data within a wireless network while managing a separate wireless network for communication resource allocation and backup operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is relayed from field device to gateway and then relayed again to display device via wireless network, then data can be displayed on portable device, but communication resource is wastefully exhausted and battery consumption is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary decryption of data from field devices and stores the decrypted data locally. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated wireless transmission to portable devices, as the decrypted data can be directly accessed by portable devices connected to the gateway, thereby reducing battery consumption and communication resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between field devices and portable display devices. It decrypts data centrally and provides it to portable devices, eliminating the need for direct wireless communication between field devices and multiple portable devices. This intermediary role reduces redundant transmissions and conserves energy.
2Ease of operation
If operators use mobile terminal device to communicate with field device directly, then data can be acquired from field device, but repeated operations are required for multiple field devices and workability is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway provides self-service by maintaining a centralized repository of decrypted data from multiple field devices. Operators can access this data directly from the gateway without needing to individually connect to each field device. The system serves itself by pre-processing and storing data, eliminating repeated connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves multiple functions: it acts as a decryption center for all field devices, a data repository, and a communication hub for multiple portable devices simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single gateway to serve numerous field devices and operators, eliminating the need for repeated individual operations.
3Reliability
If encryption keys are distributed to each field device for secure communication, then high degree of security is ensured, but devices in the path cannot decrypt and confirm encrypted data
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a trusted intermediary that holds master decryption keys and can decrypt data from any field device. This allows the gateway to verify encrypted data without compromising the security architecture, as the gateway is the designated authority for decryption and verification in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The decryption function is segmented into two levels: field devices perform encryption with individual keys, while the gateway performs decryption with master keys. This segmentation maintains security by keeping field device keys private while enabling the gateway to verify data through centralized decryption.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless relay device for relaying encrypted data via a wireless network according to one aspect of the present invention includes a relay controller and an encryption processor. The relay controller is configured to relay a first data to a predetermined relay destination as a second data via the wireless network. The first data is transmitted to the wireless relay device via the wireless network and is addressed to the wireless relay device. The encryption processor is configured to decrypt the first data into a decrypted first data and to input the decrypted first data into the relay controller, and encrypt the second data to be relayed by the relay controller.