System for inhibiting installing a radio configuration file onto a software defined radio device unless the file is compatible with the device

• US 7,376,721 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sovereign Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Braun, David A., Perkins, Gregory M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUU, LE HIEN
• Application Number:
  US10/565,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• Field of Search: 709/221, 709/222, 709/219, 709/230, 455/418, 455/419, 455/403, 711/101, 713/191, 713/201, 380/270
• US Class Current: 709/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A method for securely connecting a software defined radio (SDR) to a server through a network is presented. A request to download a radio configuration (R-CFG) file is sent from the SDR device to the server. A determination is made that the R-CFG file is configured to control a plurality of radio frequency parameters for the SDR device solely within levels permitted by a regulatory agency. The R-CFG is then downloaded to the SDR device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for downloading a radio configuration (R-CFG) file onto a software defined radio (SDR) device from a server comprising:

forming a secure connection between the SDR device and the server;

sending a message that requests the R-CFG to be downloaded over the network from the server to the SDR device;

downloading the R-CFG from the server to the SDR; and

using a device manager on the SDR device to inhibit installing of the R-CFG onto the SDR device until after it determines whether the R-CFG is compatible with the SDR device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the R-CFG is compatible with the SDR device provided that the R-CFG controls at least one radio frequency parameter solely within a permitted level established by a regulatory agency.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the R-CFG is compatible with the SDR device provided that the R-CFG is configured to execute on a particular type of SDR device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a jurisdiction identifier is transmitted with the message.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the jurisdiction identifier can be modified by a user of the SDR device.

6. A method for downloading a R-CFG file onto a SDR device from a server comprising:

forming a secure connection between the SDR device and the server;

receiving a message that requests the R-CFG to be downloaded to the SDR device;

determining a type of SDR device to receive the R-CFG from the request message;

making a determination based on the SDR device type whether the R-CFG file is configured to control a plurality of radio frequency parameters solely within permitted levels established by a regulatory agency; and

uploading the R-CFG from the server to the SDR based on the determination.

7. A method for downloading a radio configuration (R-CFG) file onto a software defined radio (SDR) device from a server comprising:

forming a secure connection between the SDR device and the server;

receiving a message that requests the R-CFG to be downloaded to the SDR device;

determining a type of SDR device to receive the R-CFG from the request message;

making a determination whether the R-CFG file is compatible with the SDR device; and

uploading the R-CFG from the server to the SDR based on the determination.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the R-CFG is compatible with the SDR device provided that the R-CFG is configured to execute on a particular type of SDR device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein a jurisdiction identifier is transmitted with the message.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the jurisdiction identifier can be modified by a user of the SDR device.

11. An apparatus comprising:

storage media including instructions stored thereon which when executed cause a computer system to perform a method including;

forming a secure connection between the SDR device and a server of the computer system;

receiving a message that requests the R-CFG to be downloaded to the SDR device;

determining a type of SDR device to receive the R-CFG from the request message;

making a determination whether the R-CFG file is compatible with the SDR device; and

uploading the R-CFG from the server to the SDR based on the determination.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the R-CFG is compatible with the SDR device provided that the R-CFG is configured to execute on a particular type of SDR device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a jurisdiction identifier is transmitted with the message.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the jurisdiction identifier can be modified by a user of the SDR device.