Abstract: A system and method for determining the relative timing of geographically-distributed events. Each of a plurality of geographically-distributed nodes has a location, a public-key cryptographic signing mechanism, a storage system, and a network interface. Each node maintains a blockchain comprising a chain of sequential, cryptographically-signed blocks. A first block of data is received at a first node, and a second block of data is received at a second node. The blocks of data are cryptographically signed by operation of the public-key cryptographic signing mechanisms with a timestamp based on an accurate time source, the location and a hash of the blockchain of the respective node to form first and second user events. The nodes can generate periodic ticks to bracket user events. The first and second user events are inserted into the blockchains of the nodes, and the timestamps of the user events can be compared to determine event priority.

Abstract: A method for determining information regarding a location of a target. A signal is sent from a first device to the target, and a total flight time delay is measured. Based on the total flight time delay, a distance of the target from the first device is determined thereby establishing a total possible area for the target location. A medial node with a known location is identified, and a flight time delay from the first device to the medial node is determined thereby permitting a determination of the distance of the target from the medial node and a reduced possible target area. Further reduced areas can be established with iterations of the medial node identification. Refinement can be achieved by automatically applying a probabilistic distribution with geographic regions of reduced confidence and geographic regions of elevated confidence as may be based on physical terrain, population density, and communication bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for determining information regarding a location of a target. A signal is sent from a first device to the target, and a total flight time delay is measured. Based on the total flight time delay, a distance of the target from the first device is determined thereby establishing a total possible area for the target location. A medial node with a known location is identified, and a flight time delay from the first device to the medial node is determined thereby permitting a determination of the distance of the target from the medial node and a reduced possible target area. Further reduced areas can be established with iterations of the medial node identification. Refinement can be achieved by automatically applying a probabilistic distribution with geographic regions of reduced confidence and geographic regions of elevated confidence as may be based on physical terrain, population density, and communication bandwidth.

Abstract: Border gateway protocol (BGP) tables and data flow statistics sorted by destination address are collected from a plurality of routers. The BGP tables and the data flow statistics are aggregated and correlated by a correlation node. The correlation node produces autonomous system (AS) transit volumes and AS terminating volumes by AS number. The AS transit volumes and the AS terminating volumes can be used to evaluate the suitability of transit providers and potential peers.