A Secure Wireless Interface between

1
A Secure Wireless Interface between Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs)
Client
Dec02-07 Team Members Faculty Advisors
Michael Hale (CprE) David Inman
(CprE) Dr. James Davis Hassan Rashid
(CprE) Jeremy Kohlhaas (EE) Dr.
Douglas Jacobson
Abstract The objective of this project is to
develop a wireless interface between two personal
digital assistants (PDA) using Motorola
Talkabout? handheld radios. Furthermore, all
information being transmitted should be secure
from interception.

• Functional Requirements
• The PDAs will connect to the Talkabout? radios
  via a serial port and/or other connection
  methods.

• Design Constraints
• All components used must be lightweight.

• Milestones
• Design, Hardware production, Software
  implementation, Security, Testing, Demonstration,
  Documentation.

Introduction

• General Background
• The goal of the project is to develop a wireless
  interface between two Palm or HandSpring PDA
  devices using two Motorola Talkabout? radios.
• This task involves three major components the
  Talkabout? radios, the PDAs, and the hardware
  connection between them.

• End-Product Description
• This project will enable simple long-distance
  communication between two PDAs, using encryption
  for security.
• The product will include special hardware to
  connect the PDA to a Talkabout? radio, as well
  as software that manages this connection.

• Technical Problem
• Maximization of the data rate.
• Security of the transmitted data.
• Minimization of hardware cost.

• Technical Approach
• Hardware design
• Digital serial interface to PDA and analog
  interface to Talkabout? radio
• Modulation circuitry
• Software design
• User interface and Palm OS integration
• Virtual connection management

• Operating Environment
• The components must be able to survive exposure
  to outdoor elements.
• Range of date transmission will be limited to
  that of the Talkabout? radios.

• Intended Users and Uses
• The end product will be used by consumers who are
  in need of quick data transmission between
  portable devices.

• Testing Approach
• Unit testing will be used while the hardware and
  software are being independently designed.
• System testing will occur after multiple hardware
  copies have been produced and the project is
  being finalized.

• Assumptions
• Only two Talkabout? radios will be involved in a
  communication session at any given time.
• Motorola will fabricate the hardware necessary
  for connecting each PDA/Talkabout? pair.

Budget and Personnel Effort
Total cost for the project is estimated to be
2175.
Total time for the project is estimated to be 390
hours.

• Limitations
• The Talkabout? radios have a limited range of
  operation. At the present time, the specific
  model, and thus range, that will be provided by
  Motorola is unknown.

Design Requirements

• Design Objectives
• The use of encryption will create a secure
  connection between the PDAs.
• A modem type device will also be made to create
  an interface between the PDAs and the Talkabout?
  radios.