ABSTRACT
Many physical-layer security works in the literature rely on purely theoretical work or simulated results to establish the value of physical-layer security in securing communications. We consider the secrecy capacity of a wireless Gaussian wiretap channel using channel sounding measurements to analyze the potential for secure communication in a real-world scenario. A multi-input, multi-output, multi-eavesdropper (MIMOME) system is deployed using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) over an 802.11n wireless network. Channel state information (CSI) measurements were taken in an indoor environment to analyze time-varying scenarios and spatial variations. It is shown that secrecy capacity is highly affected by environmental changes, such as foot traffic, network congestion, and propagation characteristics of the physical environment. We also present a numerical method for calculating MIMOME secrecy capacity in general and comment on the use of OFDM with regard to calculating secrecy capacity.
ABSTRACT
Nested linear coding is a widely used technique in wireless communication systems for improving both security and reliability. Some parameters, such as the relative generalized Hamming weight and the relative dimension/length profile, can be used to characterize the performance of nested linear codes. In addition, the rank properties of generator and parity-check matrices can also precisely characterize their security performance. Despite this, finding optimal nested linear secrecy codes remains a challenge in the finite-blocklength regime, often requiring brute-force search methods. This paper investigates the properties of nested linear codes, introduces a new representation of the relative generalized Hamming weight, and proposes a novel method for finding the best nested linear secrecy code for the binary erasure wiretap channel by working from the worst nested linear secrecy code in the dual space. We demonstrate that our algorithm significantly outperforms the brute-force technique in terms of speed and efficiency.
ABSTRACT
In order to secure wireless communications, we consider the usage of physical-layer security (PLS) mechanisms (i.e., coding for secrecy mechanisms) combined with self-interference generation. We present a prototype implementation of a scrambled coding for secrecy mechanisms with interference generation by the legitimate receiver and the cancellation of the effect of self-interference (SI). Regarding the SI cancellation, four state-of-the-art algorithms were considered: Least mean square (LMS), normalized least mean square (NLMS), recursive least squares (RLS) and QR decomposition recursive least squares (QRDRLS). The prototype implementation is performed in real-world software-defined radio (SDR) devices using GNU-Radio, showing that the LMS outperforms all other algorithms considered (NLMS, RLS and QRDRLS), being the best choice to use in this situation (SI cancellation). It was also shown that it is possible to secure communication using only noise generation by the legitimate receiver, though a variation of the packet loss rate (PLR) and the bit error rate (BER) gaps is observed when moving from the fairest to an advantageous or a disadvantageous scenario. Finally, when noise generation was combined with the adapted scrambled coding for secrecy with a hidden key scheme, a noteworthy security improvement was observed resulting in an increased BER for Eve with minor interference to Bob.
ABSTRACT
In this work, we consider the pros and cons of using various layers of keyless coding to achieve secure and reliable communication over the Gaussian wiretap channel. We define a new approach to information theoretic security, called practical secrecy and the secrecy benefit, to be used over real-world channels and finite blocklength instantiations of coding layers, and use this new approach to show the fundamental reliability and security implications of several coding mechanisms that have traditionally been used for physical-layer security. We perform a systematic/structured analysis of the effect of error-control coding, scrambling, interleaving, and coset coding, as coding layers of a secrecy system. Using this new approach, scrambling and interleaving are shown to be of no effect in increasing information theoretic security, even when measuring the effect at the output of the eavesdropper's decoder. Error control coding is shown to present a trade-off between secrecy and reliability that is dictated by the chosen code and the signal-to-noise ratios at the legitimate and eavesdropping receivers. Finally, the benefits of secrecy coding are highlighted, and it is shown how one can shape the secrecy benefit according to system specifications using combinations of different layers of coding to achieve both reliable and secure throughput.
