A Penetrationless Secure Container

Secure containers are needed to protect the communication link between a datagathering instrument and the device used to authenticate that instrument's reports. An adversary having access to that link is free to substitute false reports. Traditional approaches for secure containers used to protect their contents from undetected tampering will be found vulnerable if they must be left unattended and subject to attack by skilled adversaries. A container formed by a continuous, penetration-free glass envelope provides a more robust solution. This paper presents a design for a power supply and communication system that requires no penetration of the secure container's envelope for conductors. The design uses a split-core transformer to provide power and infrared light for communications. Only light and a magnetic field traverse the envelope. Performance data from a prototype system are presented.