Non-Coherent Fast-Forward Relays for Full-Duplex Jamming Attack

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel non-coherent fast-forward relaying scheme to counteract full-duplex jamming attacks in fading channels, improving communication robustness against adversaries capable of jamming and measuring power levels.

Contribution

It proposes a new fast-forward cooperative relaying method using non-coherent signaling and optimized constellations to mitigate jamming attacks in full-duplex adversarial scenarios.

Findings

Error rate of victim improves with the proposed scheme

Low-complexity algorithm effectively synthesizes constellations

Countermeasure outperforms traditional methods in simulations

Abstract

This work addresses a strategy to mitigate jamming attack on low-latency communication by a Full-Duplex (FD) adversary in fast-fading channel conditions. The threat model is such that the FD adversary can jam a frequency band and measure the jammed band's power level. We first point out that due to the presence of this FD adversary, Frequency Hopping (FH) fails. We then propose a fast-forward cooperative relaying scheme, wherein the victim node hops to the frequency band of a nearby FD helper node that fast-forwards the victim's symbol along with its symbol. At the same time, the victim and the helper cooperatively pour some fraction of their power on the jammed band to engage the adversary. Due to fast-fading channel conditions, the victim and the helper use amplitude based non-coherent signalling referred to as Non-Coherent Fast-Forward Full-Duplex (NC-F2FD) relaying. To minimize the error-rate of this strategy, we jointly design the constellations at the helper node and the victim node by formulating an optimization problem. Using non-trivial results, we first analyse the objective function and then, based on the analytical results, propose a low-complexity algorithm to synthesize the fast-forwarded constellations. Through simulations, we show that the error performance of the victim improves after employing our countermeasure.