System for secure communications

• US 7,684,784 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Parthasarathy, Sanjay
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan; Yuwen
• Application Number:
  US10/907,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/423.16, 455/67.11, 375132-137, 380/255
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0003 Software-defined radio [SDR] systems, i.e. systems wherein components typically implemented in hardware, e.g. filters or modulators/demodulators, are implented using software, e.g. by involving an AD or DA conversion stage such that at least part of the signal processing is performed in the digital domain digital baseband systems H04L25/00; digital modulation/demodulation H04L27/00; CDMA H04B1/707; TDMA H04B7/2643; image transmission H04N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1851 Systems using a satellite or space-based relay H04B7/18508, H04B7/18521 take precedence; providing specific services H04B7/18523 - H04B7/18576
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2609 Arrangements for range control, e.g. by using remote antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/12 Transmitting and receiving encryption devices synchronised or initially set up in a particular manner
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/16 the keys or algorithms being changed during operation

Abstract

A system having transmitters, receivers, transceivers, actuators, sensors, input/output rack, and/or a computer with application specific software and/or hardware, for secure communication and control. The system may use frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) and encryption. Schedules for FHSS and encryption keys may be varied in variously elaborate ways. The system may utilize a distributed control system to manage the transmission and reception of signals, control operations, FHSS scheduling, changing of keys, and information.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising:

at least one wireless transmitter;

at least one receiver; and

a processor connected to the at least one transmitter; and

wherein;

the at least one transmitter may send encrypted signals on various frequencies at various times;

the at least one receiver may receive encrypted signals;

a schedule of encryption keys and frequencies for transmission is provided as needed to the at least one receiver;

the schedule of encryption keys and frequencies changes from time to time; and

the processor manages a development of encryption keys, a providing of encryption keys to the at least one receiver, and/or a determination of a schedule of times and frequencies of transmitted signals, wherein the encryption key is changed upon a detected intrusion of the signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a distributed control system to manage signals, transmission of the signals, encryption of the signals, development of encryption keys, providing current encryption keys to the at least one receiver, determination of schedules of times and frequencies of transmitted signals, and/or providing current schedules of encryption keys and frequencies to the at least one receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second at least one transmitter; and

a second at least one receiver;

wherein;

the second at least one transmitter may send signals on various frequencies at various times;

the second at least one receiver may receive the signals;

the second at least one transmitter may encrypt the signals; and

the second at least one receiver may decrypt the signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one receiver is connected to an actuator; and

the at least one transmitter is connected to a sensor the actuator is situated at a facility; and

the sensor is situated at the facility; and

wherein;

the actuator may affect at least one parameter of a process at the facility; and

the sensor may sense at least one parameter of the process.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a repeater to relay signals from the at least one transmitter to the at least one receiver, and from the second at least one transmitter to the second at least one receiver.

6. A method for secure wireless communication comprising:

transmitting signals to a receiver;

transmitting the signals via a frequency-hopping spread spectrum;

providing a schedule of the frequency-hopping spectrum to the receiver;

encrypting the signals to the receiver;

providing an encryption key to the receiver via a second frequency-hopping spread spectrum; and

changing the schedule of the frequency-hopping spectrum.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing a schedule of the second frequency-hopping spread spectrum to the receiver.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

transmitting the signals to the second receiver via a third frequency-hopping spread spectrum; and

providing a schedule of the third frequency-hopping spectrum to the second receiver.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

encrypting the signals being transmitted to the second receiver; and

transmitting a second encryption key to the second receiver.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising using a distributed control system to manage the transmitter, the second receiver, and/or signals.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the receiver is connected to an actuator; and

the second transmitter is connected to a sensor.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising using a software defined radio to manage the transmitter, the second receiver, and/or signals.

13. A system for secure wireless communication comprising:

a receiver;

a transmitter; and

a processor connected to the transmitter;

wherein;

the processor is configured to operate the transmitter to send encrypted signals via a frequency hopping spread spectrum of a first schedule;

the processor is configured to operate the transmitter to send an encryption key signal via a frequency hopping spread spectrum of a second schedule; and

the receiver is configured to receive and decrypt the signals.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a processor connected to the receiver;

a software radio connected to the transmitter and the receiver; and

a distributed control system connected to the computer.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein an encryption key of the encryption key signal may change upon an intrusion of signals.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein an encryption key of the encryption key signal changes according to a schedule.