Abstract: Security features for a wireless communications system including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between a master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator. A master key or device key is also used in generating session keys. Impermanent session keys are used to encrypt/decrypt finite amount of data. Thereafter, the session key is replaced and cypher bits are generated using the new session key. A synchronized key jump procedure ensures that the master and device switch to the new session key at the same time.

Abstract: Security features for a wireless communications system including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between a master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator. A master key or device key is also used in generating session keys. Impermanent session keys are used to encrypt/decrypt finite amount of data. Thereafter, the session key is replaced and cypher bits are generated using the new session key. A synchronized key jump procedure ensures that the master and device switch to the new session key at the same time.

Abstract: A method for securing communicating with a human machine interface (HMI) terminal over a mission critical wireless link (MCWL) link is provided. The method includes sending, by a MCWL node, a connection request to the HMI terminal; upon receiving an acknowledge from the HMI terminal, authenticating the HMI terminal; and upon authentication of the HMI terminal, establishing a secure connection channel is between the MCWL node and the HMI terminal, wherein commands to at least control the MCWL node are sent from the HMI terminal over the secure connection channel.

Abstract: Security features for a wireless communications system including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between a master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator. A master key or device key is also used in generating session keys. Impermanent session keys are used to encrypt/decrypt finite amount of data. Thereafter, the session key is replaced and cypher bits are generated using the new session key. A synchronized key jump procedure ensures that the master and device switch to the new session key at the same time.

Abstract: A communication method between a master and a device, the master transmits in a subcycle a received condition message (RCM) for an immediately prior subcycle, wherein the RCM is an ACK when a transmission from the device in the preceding subcycle was correctly received and the RCM is a NACK when a transmission from the device in the preceding subcycle was not correctly received, comprising: including in each transmitted condition message a current priority data acknowledgement flag (CPDAF), the CPDAF being transmitted set in each condition message for each subcycle of an offset cycle after the master correctly received in a current cycle a priority data message, the offset cycle being defined as the second and subsequent subcycles of a current cycle and the first subcycle of a next cycle, the CPDAF being transmitted as cleared otherwise.

Abstract: Security features for a wireless communications system including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between a master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator. A master key (or device key) is also used in generating session keys. Impermanent session keys are used to encrypt/decrypt finite amount of data. Thereafter, the session key is replaced and cypher bits are generated using the new session key. A synchronized key jump procedure ensures that the master and device switch to the new session key at the same time.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for providing security features to a wireless communications system that otherwise does not have such features. Security features including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The invention is applicable to wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator such as the CSPRNG algorithm. A master key (or device key) is also used in generating session keys. Session keys are not permanent and are used to encrypt/decrypt only a finite amount of data. Once exhausted, the session key is replaced by a new one and cypher bits are generated using the new session key.

Abstract: A method of secure communications between a master and a plurality of devices in a wireless communications network, the method comprising: encrypting, on said master, downlink plaintext for multicast transmission to a plurality of devices over a wireless communications link utilizing a symmetric key encryption algorithm in accordance with a first counter value and a shared symmetric session key; and decrypting, on one of said devices, multicast downlink cyphertext received from said master over said wireless communications link utilizing a symmetric key decryption algorithm in accordance with a second counter value and said shared symmetric session key; wherein said wireless communications link is a short distance wireless link in that said master and said plurality of downlink devices are located within a single industrial complex.

Abstract: A novel and useful electronic gyroscope exploits the Sagnac resulting in a detectable phase or frequency shift when an electromagnetic wave travels inside a rotating medium. These shifts in phase or frequency are measured and used to determine the angular velocity of the rotating medium. Three such media can be positioned in mutually perpendicular planes to detect 3D rotational movement. At least one loop acts as an RF transmission media that accommodates simultaneous bidirectional propagation of RF signals while being capable of separating between signals counter propagating in two opposite directions through the use of a switching matrix. A switching matrix and loop buffer function to sample pulses, amplify them, and reinject them back into one of the loops. A time measurement unit functions to detect the time difference between the counter propagating pulses which is used to calculate the rotation rate of the loop.

Abstract: A system and method for secure communications between a master and a plurality of devices in a wireless communications network are provided. The method includes encrypting, on said master, downlink plaintext for multicast transmission to a plurality of devices over a wireless communications link utilizing a symmetric key encryption algorithm in accordance with a first counter value and a shared symmetric session key; and decrypting, on one of said devices, multicast downlink cyphertext received from said master over said wireless communications link utilizing a symmetric key decryption algorithm in accordance with a second counter value and said shared symmetric session key.

Abstract: A method for securing communicating with a human machine interface (HMI) terminal over a mission critical wireless link (MCWL) link is provided. The method includes sending, by a MCWL node, a connection request to the HMI terminal; upon receiving an acknowledge from the HMI terminal, authenticating the HMI terminal; and upon authentication of the HMI terminal, establishing a secure connection channel is between the MCWL node and the HMI terminal, wherein commands to at least control the MCWL node are sent from the HMI terminal over the secure connection channel.

Abstract: A communication method between a master and a device, the master transmits in a subcycle a received condition message (RCM) for an immediately prior subcycle, wherein the RCM is an ACK when a transmission from the device in the preceding subcycle was correctly received and the RCM is a NACK when a transmission from the device in the preceding subcycle was not correctly received, comprising: including in each transmitted condition message a current priority data acknowledgement flag (CPDAF), the CPDAF being transmitted set in each condition message for each subcycle of an offset cycle after the master correctly received in a current cycle a priority data message, the offset cycle being defined as the second and subsequent subcycles of a current cycle and the first subcycle of a next cycle, the CPDAF being transmitted as cleared otherwise.

Abstract: A novel and useful acknowledgement and adaptive frequency hopping mechanism for use in wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. One or two additional acknowledgement bits are added to packet transmissions. One is a current acknowledgment bit which indicates whether a packet was successfully received anytime during the current cycle. The second bit is a previous acknowledgment bit which indicates whether packets were received successfully anytime during the previous cycle. An adaptive hopping table is constructed using a greedy algorithm which chooses frequencies with the best PER for transmission of higher priority packets, while equalizing the PER products across cycles. A last resort frequency mechanism further improves transmission success by switching to a better performing channel for the last subcycle when previous attempts to transmit a high priority packet have failed.

Abstract: A mission critical wireless link (MCWL) node for communicating with a human machine interface (HMI) terminal over a mission critical wireless link is provided.

Abstract: A novel and useful acknowledgement and adaptive frequency hopping mechanism for use in wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. One or two additional acknowledgement bits are added to packet transmissions. One is a current acknowledgment bit which indicates whether a packet was successfully received anytime during the current cycle. The second bit is a previous acknowledgment bit which indicates whether packets were received successfully anytime during the previous cycle. An adaptive hopping table is constructed using a greedy algorithm which chooses frequencies with the best PER for transmission of higher priority packets, while equalizing the PER products across cycles. A last resort frequency mechanism further improves transmission success by switching to a better performing channel for the last subcycle when previous attempts to transmit a high priority packet have failed.

Abstract: A master gateway operable in a wireless system is provided. The master gateway includes a plurality of receivers configured to wirelessly communicate over the mission critical wireless link system with a plurality of devices; a processing circuitry coupled to the plurality of receivers; and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, configure the processing circuitry to at least control the operation of the plurality of receivers, such that at least one of the plurality of receivers is configured to receive a plurality of transmissions from the plurality of devices in succession wherein a guard time between transmissions is significantly smaller than a processing time of a receiver.

Abstract: A novel and useful acknowledgement and adaptive frequency hopping mechanism for use in wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. One or two additional acknowledgement bits are added to packet transmissions. One is a current acknowledgment bit which indicates whether a packet was successfully received anytime during the current cycle. The second bit is a previous acknowledgment bit which indicates whether packets were received successfully anytime during the previous cycle. An adaptive hopping table is constructed using a greedy algorithm which chooses frequencies with the best PER for transmission of higher priority packets, while equalizing the PER products across cycles. A last resort frequency mechanism further improves transmission success by switching to a better performing channel for the last subcycle when previous attempts to transmit a high priority packet have failed.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for providing security features to a wireless communications system that otherwise does not have such features. Security features including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The invention is applicable to wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator such as the CSPRNG algorithm. A master key (or device key) is also used in generating session keys. Session keys are not permanent and are used to encrypt/decrypt only a finite amount of data. Once exhausted, the session key is replaced by a new one and cypher bits are generated using the new session key.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for providing security features to a wireless communications system that otherwise does not have such features. Security features including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The invention is applicable to wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator such as the CSPRNG algorithm. A master key (or device key) is also used in generating session keys. Session keys are not permanent and are used to encrypt/decrypt only a finite amount of data. Once exhausted, the session key is replaced by a new one and cypher bits are generated using the new session key.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for providing security features to a wireless communications system that otherwise does not have such features. Security features including encryption and decryption of communications, secure key exchange, secure pairing, and secure re-pairing are provided. The invention is applicable to wireless communication systems such as IO-Link Wireless. The encryption/decryption mechanism uses AES-256 block cypher with counter mode to generate blocks of cypher bits used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the master and devices. Session keys are generated using a random salt and a counter value. The random salt is generated using a secure random number generator such as the CSPRNG algorithm. A master key (or device key) is also used in generating session keys. Session keys are not permanent and are used to encrypt/decrypt only a finite amount of data. Once exhausted, the session key is replaced by a new one and cypher bits are generated using the new session key.