A Physical Layer Secured Key Distribution Technique for IEEE 802.11g Wireless Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a physical layer security-based key distribution method for IEEE 802.11g wireless networks that enables automatic key renewal without additional authentication, leveraging channel differences and packet scrambling.

Contribution

It proposes a novel scrambling-based key renewal technique exploiting physical layer differences, compatible with IEEE 802.11g, eliminating the need for initial authentication.

Findings

Effective key renewal through packet scrambling demonstrated

Unauthorized receivers experience error propagation, enhancing security

Compatible modification with IEEE 802.11g standard implemented

Abstract

Key distribution and renewing in wireless local area networks is a crucial issue to guarantee that unauthorized users are prevented from accessing the network. In this paper, we propose a technique for allowing an automatic bootstrap and periodic renewing of the network key by exploiting physical layer security principles, that is, the inherent differences among transmission channels. The proposed technique is based on scrambling of groups of consecutive packets and does not need the use of an initial authentication nor automatic repeat request protocols. We present a modification of the scrambling circuits included in the IEEE 802.11g standard which allows for a suitable error propagation at the unauthorized receiver, thus achieving physical layer security.