Secure Communication Channels Using Atmosphere-Limited Line-of-Sight Terahertz Links

Abstract

The objective of this research is to explore strategies for eavesdropping on terahertz wireless links. One eavesdropping option is to collect the signals that propagate past the receiver, avoiding the possibility of blocking the signal and raising an alarm. In that case, the eavesdropper is further from the transmitter than the receiver, resulting in increased transmission loss. Because of the strong distance dependence of transmission loss, it is possible to choose a carrier frequency such that the intended receiver (at a known range) can detect the signal, but an eavesdropper (at a greater distance) cannot. A second option for an eavesdropper is to rely on tapping into the side lobes of the transmitted signal, rather than the main lobe directed towards the intended receiver. To thwart this possibility, we develop a security scheme in which the eavesdropper has zero probability of intercept regardless of her ability to detect side lobe broadcasts. This scheme relies on the combination of a multi-channel broadcast together with a secure post-quantum encoding.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1196266

Entities

People

  • Dan Mittleman

Organizations

  • Brown University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Atmospheric Attenuation
  • Attenuation
  • Carrier Frequencies
  • Coding
  • Communication Channels
  • Communication Systems
  • Cryptography
  • Data Links
  • Data Transmission
  • Detection
  • Frequency Bands
  • Governments
  • Line Of Sight
  • Modulation
  • Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
  • Quantum Cryptography
  • Scattering
  • Secure Communications
  • Transmitters
  • Wireless Communications

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing
  • Quantum Science - Quantum Key Distribution