Safeguarding Next Generation Multiple Access Using Physical Layer Security Techniques: A Tutorial

TL;DR

This tutorial reviews physical layer security techniques for NOMA in next-generation wireless networks, highlighting how interference can be exploited to enhance security amidst the challenges of massive connectivity and open air interfaces.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current physical layer security methods tailored for NOMA, emphasizing opportunities and future research directions.

Findings

Physical layer security techniques can leverage NOMA interference for enhanced secrecy

NOMA introduces unique security challenges due to its open and broadcast nature

Future research should focus on overcoming technical challenges in secure NOMA implementations

Abstract

Driven by the ever-increasing requirements of ultra-high spectral efficiency, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity, the forefront of wireless research calls for the design of advanced next generation multiple access schemes to facilitate provisioning of these stringent demands. This inspires the embrace of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in future wireless communication networks. Nevertheless, the support of massive access via NOMA leads to additional security threats, due to the open nature of the air interface, the broadcast characteristic of radio propagation as well as intertwined relationship among paired NOMA users. To address this specific challenge, the superimposed transmission of NOMA can be explored as new opportunities for security aware design, for example, multiuser interference inherent in NOMA can be constructively engineered to benefit communication secrecy and privacy. The purpose of this tutorial is to provide a comprehensive overview on the state-of-the-art physical layer security techniques that guarantee wireless security and privacy for NOMA networks, along with the opportunities, technical challenges, and future research trends.