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Secure Data Transmission using RF — Parallax Forums

Secure Data Transmission using RF

4ish4ish Posts: 24
edited 2005-09-25 20:50 in General Discussion
I'm looking to have secure data transmission using RF antennas. I wanted to know if it would make any difference, as far as security goes, whether the communication was bi-directional as opposed to uni-directional.

Are there any known algorithms that provide security for such things?

Thanks in advance.
4ish

Comments

  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-09-25 01:13
    Just to note, that in Canada (and assuming the US as well), you can not encrypt transmission...is illegal.

    That being said, you can design ways of transmission that make it harder to listen....frequency hopping pattern...etc..

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    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-09-25 01:48
    Steve,

    ·· I am by no means challenging your statement, but what happens when you use Encryption on your wireless network?· There are several methods, and then there's things like VPN.· Are you saying you can't have secure, encrypted networks in Canada?

    ·· Also there are a great many kits which offer methods of encrypting RF Transmissions using hardware at both ends.· Many of these devices are available from eBay and various Kit Companies.· I have personally never used such a device, but the concept seems no different than securing your wireless network.· Or DirecTV encrypting their satellite signals.· Anyone else know anything about this?


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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-09-25 16:25
    Chris...you've got me there.
    I just remember when I was taking my HAM exam/testing...that we couldn't transmit encrypted data.
    Certainly not on open/HAM bands....whereas a wireless router would be specifically licensed for certain uses and encryptions (then there's user specified WEP keys...not sure how they fall in to it).

    Took me a while...but I think I might have mis-construed the regulation.
    "25.2A Transmissions between amateur stations of different countries shall not be encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning, except for control signals exchanged between earth command stations and the space station in the amateur satellite service."
    Since we were basically on the border (Niagara FAlls, ON) then someone on the US side could easily pick up our transmission and declare it a violation....

    Here's another entry....but is specific to Amateur Radio
    "Communications with Radio Apparatus in the Amateur Radio Service
    47. A person who operates radio apparatus in the amateur radio service may only
    (a) communicate with a radio station that operates in the amateur radio service;" SOR/2000-78
    (b) use a code or cipher that is not secret; and
    (c) be engaged in communication that does not include the transmission of
    (i) music,
    (ii) commercially recorded material,
    (iii) programming that originates from a broadcasting undertaking, or
    (iv) radiocommunications in support of industrial, business or professional activities."

    I couldn't find much for the unlicensed bands....but since most of those dictate such low output powers, then they must figure you can't send much further than a block away.
    Certainly, any other band would require a license!

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    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-09-25 17:03
    Steve,

    ·· Yes, that's HAM bands...On those you must ID yourself every so often when transmitting too, as I understand it.· And there may be more bands that are regulated like that.· Of course, those all require a license.· I remembered something else I use that has it's transmission encrypted...My cordless phone has built-in voice scrambling.· I think our 5.8Ghz one uses multipe bands.· I had a 2.4Ghz that used spread-spectrum, and was digital.· I think there is something the OP could use, although I don't have an exact product to suggest.· Anyone?

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Robert KubichekRobert Kubichek Posts: 343
    edited 2005-09-25 17:24
    4ish said...
    I'm looking to have secure data transmission using RF antennas. I wanted to know if it would make any difference, as far as security goes, whether the communication was bi-directional as opposed to uni-directional.

    Are there any known algorithms that provide security for such things?

    Thanks in advance.
    4ish

    Well in the ham bands, you cannot encrypt voice data, and you must ID the Op station every 10 minutes with your call sign.
    In digital mode you are still required to ID your station every 10 minutes.

    If I needed a secure rf between two points, I would set up a long range network (wireless ethernet) using any HI-Gain antennas ( dish, corner reflector, multi element directional) and boost the power output. Even an IP network can be broken into (hacked) in time. Your data requirements dictate what you would need for your hardware equirement. It is do-able, but you need to make a list of what you need to do data wise...then find the hardware to suit.

    Also you did not say if it was to be point-to-point using mcpus (stamps) or if their will be stamp to computer----computer to stamp type of connection.

    The latter would be eaisiest to implement.

    Bob N9LVU scool.gif
  • 4ish4ish Posts: 24
    edited 2005-09-25 20:50
    well I am fairly new to this field so I was thinking of doing it stamp to stamp, mostly cuz I want to use the parallax rf transmitter/receivers and wouldnt know how to transmit from PC through the antenna without using a stamp....

    also the information being transmitted is basically gonna be passwords... the transmitter is a central hub that will be used to program passwords into multiple stamps.. so instead of programming each stamp seperately you can do so once and then have the hub take care of programming the rest..

    if anyone can suggest a better setup for this application, please let me know...
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