System and method for defending unmanned aerial vehicles from hijack cyber attacks

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11477652-B2
Application number	US-201916694737-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2019
Priority date	Nov 25, 2019
Publication date	Oct 18, 2022
Grant date	Oct 18, 2022

Abstract

The system and methods described herein aids in the defense of unmanned vehicles, such as aerial vehicles, from wifi cyber attacks. Such attacks usually do not last long and in the case of many point-to-point command and control systems, the attacks originate from close proximity to the unmanned vehicle. The system and methods described herein allow a team to rapidly identify and physically respond to an adversary trying to take control of the unmanned vehicle. Another aspect of the embodiment taught herein is to allow for the location of a wifi signal in a hands-free manner by able to visualize the source of the signal using an augmented reality display coupled to an antenna array.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for defending an unmanned vehicle comprising:
an unmanned vehicle emitting a specific radio frequency;
an antenna array configured to be tuned to the unmanned vehicle's specific radio frequency;
an augmented reality display configured to display frequency emitters that match the unmanned vehicle's specific radio frequency;
a defender, wherein the defender has the capability to view the augmented reality display.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the augmented reality display is configured to allow the defender to visually identify a threat directed at the unmanned vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the threat is a hostile radio frequency command and control link.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the defender has the capability to remove the threat.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the threat is removed by directing a radio frequency signal to jam the hostile radio frequency command and control link.

6. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is operated within a specific distance of the unmanned vehicle by the defender.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the antenna array is coupled to a headset, the headset configured to be worn by the defender.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the headset further comprises a visor and a helmet, and wherein the augmented reality display is configured to be shown through the visor.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the threat is removed using physical force.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unmanned vehicle is an aerial vehicle.

11. A method for defending an unmanned vehicle from a hijack cyber attack comprising the steps of:
operating an unmanned vehicle emitting a specific radio frequency;
tuning an antenna array to match the radio frequency of the unmanned vehicle;
configuring an augmented reality display to allow visualization of the radio frequency emitters;
verifying and neutralizing the matching radio frequency emitters;
further configuring the augmented reality display to visually detect and identify the location and position of a threat, wherein the threat has the ability to wirelessly gain control of the unmanned vehicle;
directing a security response to the identified threat;
removing the threat;
allowing continued operation of the unmanned vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising removing the threat using a non-kinetic force.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of coupling the antenna array to a motor vehicle having a windshield, and
using the windshield as the augmented reality display.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of coupling the antenna array to a helmet having a visor, the visor configured to act as the augmented reality display.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of allowing a defender to wear the helmet while operating a motor vehicle within a specific distance of the unmanned vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the threat is removed using physical force.

17. A method for neutralizing a hostile radio frequency emitter comprising the steps of:
tuning an antenna array coupled to an augmented reality headset to a specific platform emitting radio frequency signals, wherein the antenna array is configured to determine the direction of radio frequency signals;
configuring the augmented reality headset to visually display matching frequency emitters;
verifying and neutralizing the matching radio frequency emitters;
allowing operation of the specific platform;
interrupting the operation of the specific platform using a threat, wherein the threat is a hostile radio frequency emitter;
using the augmented reality headset to visually identify the threat location;
directing a security response to the identified threat;
removing the threat;
allowing continued operation of the specific platform.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of using an unmanned vehicle as the specific platform.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of allowing a user to wear the headset while operating a motor vehicle, and
allowing for hands-free identification of the threat.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of using a wifi router as the specific platform.

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Bilinski Mark
• Burnette Gerald Thomas
• Greene Fred William
• Price Garrison Buckminster

Classifications

• G06T11/00

  Two-dimensional [2D] image generation · CPC title

• H04W12/122 Primary

  Counter-measures against attacks; Protection against rogue devices · CPC title

• H04K3/42

  characterized by the control of the jamming frequency or wavelength · CPC title

• H04K3/92

  related to allowing or preventing remote control · CPC title

• B64D45/0031

  means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls · CPC title