Randomization for Security in Half-Duplex Two-Way Gaussian Channels

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel randomized scheduling and power allocation scheme for secure two-way wireless communication, achieving information-theoretic secrecy against passive eavesdroppers in Gaussian channels.

Contribution

It proposes a new physical layer security framework using random timing and power levels, validated through theoretical analysis and experimental tests.

Findings

Achieves high secure data rates under mild spatial conditions

Effective ambiguity for eavesdroppers through randomization

Validated with real-world sensor network experiments

Abstract

This paper develops a new physical layer framework for secure two-way wireless communication in the presence of a passive eavesdropper, i.e., Eve. Our approach achieves perfect information theoretic secrecy via a novel randomized scheduling and power allocation scheme. The key idea is to allow Alice and Bob to send symbols at random time instants. While Alice will be able to determine the symbols transmitted by Bob, Eve will suffer from ambiguity regarding the source of any particular symbol. This desirable ambiguity is enhanced, in our approach, by randomizing the transmit power level. Our theoretical analysis, in a 2-D geometry, reveals the ability of the proposed approach to achieve relatively high secure data rates under mild conditions on the spatial location of Eve. These theoretical claims are then validated by experimental results using IEEE 802.15.4-enabled sensor boards in different configurations, motivated by the spatial characteristics of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN).