Secret key generation via random beamforming in stationary environment

Abstract

Extracting secret key from the common randomness of wireless channel has gained significant interest as a mechanism for providing secure point-to-point communications. Current works focus on the methods of exploiting channel characterizations based on Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), channel phase and Channel Impulse Response (CIR) under different propagation environments. However, when the channel fading is static or quasi-static, the secret key bits derived from the channel may be identical or nearly identical. In this paper, we propose a method to solve this problem in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems based on random beamforming. Compared with single antenna systems, MIMO systems offer more randomness available. Furthermore we consider the worst scenario where the eavesdropper Eve knows perfect knowledge of the legitimate channel. The quantization error probability at Eve is simulated to assess the security of the proposed method.

Moving window scheme for extracting secret keys in stationary environments

“…Then, the measurements which combine random probing signals and the CSI are used to extract key bits. Our previous work [21] (denoted as random beamforming and stochastic amplitude probe signal (RBSAPS)‐WKG) is similar to RPSCR‐WKG scheme. However, the fluctuation range of the random source in [20, 21] is limited when the transmit power is constrained.…”

Increasing secret key capacity of OFDM systems: a geometric program approach

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Among these schemes, extracting secret keys from the characteristics of wireless channels, which makes it possible for one-time pad, becomes a hot issue. Traditional security protocols and algorithms mainly rely on cryptography, hash functions, and some other mathematical properties to support the security services.…”

“…Therefore, the interest in physical layer security schemes, which exploits the inherent physical properties of the wireless medium to complement or enhance the existing cryptosystems, is growing. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Among these schemes, extracting secret keys from the characteristics of wireless channels, which makes it possible for one-time pad, becomes a hot issue. So far, numerous research works have focused on extracting secret keys based on the received signal strength indication, 3,4 channel impulse response, 3,5-7 channel phase 8 and multipath relative-delay, 9 etc in various scenarios.…”

“…In addition, the broadcast nature of wireless medium makes the key distribution vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks. Therefore, the interest in physical layer security schemes, which exploits the inherent physical properties of the wireless medium to complement or enhance the existing cryptosystems, is growing . Among these schemes, extracting secret keys from the characteristics of wireless channels, which makes it possible for one‐time pad, becomes a hot issue.…”

“…Among these schemes, extracting secret keys from the characteristics of wireless channels, which makes it possible for one‐time pad, becomes a hot issue. So far, numerous research works have focused on extracting secret keys based on the received signal strength indication, channel impulse response, channel phase and multipath relative‐delay, etc in various scenarios.…”