Out-Phased Array Linearized Signaling (OPALS): A Practical Approach to Physical Layer Encryption

Abstract

Traditional methods of securing communications rely on methods such as encryption which require coordination between the transmitter and the receiver. Physical layer encryption techniques propose exploiting transmit arrays to cover the transmitted signal with beamformed noise or to generate directional modulation to provide security without requiring coordination a priori between the transmitter and receiver. These techniques suffer from implementation difficulties such as high computational requirements and higher amplifier linearity requirements.In this paper we propose out-phased array linearized signaling (OPALS) which provides a practical approach tophysical-layer encryption through spatial masking. Our approach modifies just the transmitter to employ the outphasing amplifier design to generate a unique masking signal to each element ofan antenna array. This approach improves the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the transmitter, provides a high degree of confidentiality, and requires no coordination with or modification to the intended receiver.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 26, 2015
Accession Number
AD1034940

Entities

People

  • Bruce Jr R. Jordan
  • Eric Tollefson
  • Joseph D. Gaeddert

Organizations

  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Antennas
  • Arrays
  • Bandwidth
  • Beam Forming
  • Channel Capacity
  • Coding
  • Cryptography
  • Decoding
  • Dynamic Range
  • Filters
  • Gain
  • Modulation
  • Noise
  • Security
  • Symbols
  • Transmitters

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.