BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The embodiments herein generally relate to a cable having b web portal hosting capability and method for operating such a cable.

Description of the Related Art

Radiological, biological, and chemical threats loom large on the modern battlefield. Timely warning of such threats can significantly mitigate the damage or harm from such threats to the warfighter. Tactical radio networks of tactical radios worn on each warfighter provide for efficient communication between warfighters and their commanders with the potential to provide warfighters and their commanders with a high level of awareness of the prevailing conditions throughout the battlespace in real time. Sensors have been developed that can detect such threats, for example radiological threats, and that can be carried by the individual soldier. However, heretofore an efficient way of sharing data from such sensors has not been available as such sensors generally lack reliable, embedded telecommunications capability.

Therefore, there is a need to develop an efficient approach for timely sharing of sensor data among warfighters and their commanders to mitigate the harm resulting from radiological, biological, and chemical threats.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a cable system comprising a sensor connection segment (SCS), a radio connection segment (RCS), and a computer connection segment (CCS). The SCS includes a sensor connection cable (SCC) and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The SCC has a first end and a second end. The first end of the SCC is adapted for communicating with the PCBA and the second end of the SCC is adapted for communicating with a host sensor system. The RCS includes a radio connection cable (RCC) that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the RCC is adapted for communicating with the PCBA and the second end of the RCC is adapted for communicating with a radio. The CCS includes a computer connection cable (CCC) that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the CCC is adapted for communicating with the PCBA and the second end of the CCC is adapted for communicating with a computer. The PCBA is adapted for communicating data from the host sensor system to a destination node in a network through the radio and for facilitating the receipt from the computer of calibration and firmware updates for the host sensor system. Furthermore, the PCBA includes a central processor unit (CPU), memory, communication interfaces for communicating with the SCC and the RCC or the CCC, and software stored in the memory that, when it is executed, causes the PCBA to function as a web server.

In one example, the web server hosts a first web portal to facilitate the passage of data from the host sensor system to the computer, and it hosts a second additional, locally-hosted web portal to facilitate receipt of calibration and firmware updates from the computer for the host sensor system. The embedded web server of the cable system provides for firmware updates to the host sensor system, any connected probes, and the cable system itself. The cable system authenticates the firmware uploaded through the embedded web server of the cable system using a digital signature or hash, and verified using a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) or similar appropriate verification mechanism. Both the authenticity and integrity of all firmware files to be uploaded may be verified using digital signature, hash verification or similar methods.

Another embodiment provides a method for operating a cable system that provides an embedded web server. The method comprises multiple steps. One step is providing a SCS that includes a SCC and a PCBA, the PCBA including a processor, memory, software loaded into the memory, and communication interfaces. Next is the step of connecting the SCC between the PCBA and a host sensor system for communication between the PCBA and the host sensor system. Another step is providing a device connection segment (DCS) that includes a device connection cable (DCC) and first and second connectors each being provided at a corresponding end of the DCC. This is followed by connecting the DCC between the PCBA and a device for allowing communication between the PCBA and the device. The PCBA is operated, through execution of a portion of the software, provide a web server. The services provided by the web server can be used to facilitate receipt of calibration and firmware updates for the host sensor system from the device.

The device may be, for example, a computer, smart phone, mobile phone, tablet, or a tactical or network radio. In another example, the device is a radio and the cable system can be operated to transmit sensor data to a node in the network through the radio.

The cable systems disclosed herein alleviate the need for a host sensor system to provide its own networking functionality. This modular approach allows for future capability enhancements to occur outside of the host sensor to provide their own internal networking functionality. The cable systems disclosed herein will allow sensors without embedded host capabilities to establish connections to select military tactical radio networks. Also, the cable systems disclosed herein will provide a locally-hosted web portal to facilitate the passage of data from the host sensor directly to a computer, and another locally-hosted web portal to facilitate calibration and firmware updates. Accordingly, the cable system disclosed herein solves the pressing technical problem of sharing information from multiple dispersed sensors without networking capability and of upgrading their firmware and calibrating them in the field locally or even remotely.

Without a device such as the cable systems disclosed herein, a system or host sensor is required to provide its own network functionality. This adds burdensome requirements to a system, and limits the functionality of certain systems. The cable systems disclosed herein provides selective communication directionality to isolate the host from unauthorized access.

Calibration and firmware updates will occur only when the host sensor system has been booted into a specialized “listening” mode which will enable two-way communications between a computer and the host sensor system. The associated software will be hosted on the PCBA found in the PCBA Housing (PCBAH). The cable systems disclosed herein comprised three segments. The base for the cable is the SCS that comprises the PCBAH and a length of cable with, for example, a ruggedized USB connector. This cable and connector allows the cable systems disclosed herein to physically connect to the host sensor system. Integrated into the PCBAH housing is a ruggedized network connector allowing data connection.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating exemplary embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

