Channel-Envelope Differencing Eliminates Secret Key Correlation: LoRa-Based Key Generation in Low Power Wide Area Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for automatic key generation in LPWANs using LoRa, employing differential quantization to enhance randomness and reliability in secure key creation across various environments.

Contribution

It proposes a novel key generation technique for LoRa-based LPWANs that improves security and reliability through differential quantization, validated by extensive outdoor and indoor experiments.

Findings

Successfully generates secure keys in outdoor environments

Achieves high randomness and reliability in key generation

Demonstrates applicability for LPWAN security

Abstract

This paper presents automatic key generation for long-range wireless communications in low power wide area networks (LPWANs), employing LoRa as a case study. Differential quantization is adopted to extract a high level of randomness. Experiments conducted both in an outdoor urban environment and in an indoor environment demonstrate that this key generation technique is applicable for LPWANs, and shows that it is able to reliably generate secure keys.