Channel Sounding : Pairing and Configuration

[c6po]

Hi,
I'm currently in architecture definition stage, and I'd like to know more about the possibilities driven by Channel Sounding.
From what I understand, you can only perform channel sounding when devices are connected.
I have uses cases where a lambda user could come and would like to pair with the device.
Uses cases lile indoor navigation for instance.
I do not want to pair only with one device, but with all devices.
what method of configuration would you recommend? 
Also, can Channel sounding be used to secure the pairing of a device? 
BR

[Elfving]

Hi Stephen,

Yes, currently you can only do channel sounding in a connection. I am not sure if I completely understand the problem you are describing, but you can still do indoor navigation by connecting to multiple devices around in an area and trilaterate a position like a GPS.

I believe the Nordic softdevice supports 20 connections, the zephyr controller doesn't have a real limit but is limited by eg. memory. This would of course also place a limit on how many devices you can track.

If you however want a way to do positioning without connections (which would also result in you being able to track more objects), you could use direction finding instead, which uses somewhat similar technology (CTEs and I/Q values) in order to capture an angle rather than a distance. This can be done without a connection.

Whatever you want to do, nordic provides solutions for all of this. Have a look at our channel sounding samples and direction finding samples here.

Also, can Channel sounding be used to secure the pairing of a device? 

I am not sure what you mean by securing a pairing, as you would have to pair to get a connection.

Regards,

Elfving

[c6po]

Hi,
Thanks for this answer.
In fact, at the very begning, I though Channel Sounding could also secure the pairing of a device since it could mesure distance.
And this bring o my second question : what is the recommended procedure to pair the device in such case?
For the asset tracking in a wharehouse for instance, you need to adresse plenty of devices. These assets can move from a wharehouse to another... In such case, how would you recommend to adresse the pairing necessary to connect?

[Elfving]

c6po said:

And this bring o my second question : what is the recommended procedure to pair the device in such case?

Given the use-case of locating goods in a warehouse I guess you can have some beacon-tokens that you put on the goods, and that come pre-paired to the locators that are stationed around in the warehouse. They could then either also come pre-paired to the new warehouse, or switch to a new set of beacons for that one. Though I think direction finding is much better suited to the use-case you describe here. This is also what people in this market are already using.

Channel sounding can help mitigate other security issues though, such as man-in-the-middle and relay attacks. You can also add additional security requirements that are dependent on channel sounding on the application level.  

You can also read more about channel sounding here.

Regards,

Elfving