Nested Downlink Control Channels for Eavesdropping-Resistant Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G-NR wireless communication systems are vulnerable to eavesdropping and narrowband jamming, particularly in satellite-based communication networks, due to the broadcast nature of synchronization signals and control channels.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves scheduling resource elements for downlink transmission with different power spectral densities (PSDs), where critical information is transmitted in a secure channel with a lower PSD hidden beneath a main channel with a higher PSD, thereby enhancing security and resilience against eavesdropping and jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broadcast channels and control channels are transmitted with high power spectral density to ensure reliable reception, then signal reliability is improved, but vulnerability to eavesdropping and narrowband jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested channel structure where a secure downlink control channel is transmitted within the resource elements of the main downlink shared channel. The secure control channel uses a lower power spectral density and is hidden beneath the main channel, creating a nested configuration that protects critical control information from eavesdropping and narrowband jamming while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate secure control channel is added to protect against eavesdropping, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the secure control channel with the main downlink shared channel by transmitting both channels simultaneously in the same time-frequency resources. The secure control channel is modulated with a lower power spectral density and hidden beneath the main channel, allowing both channels to share the same physical resources without requiring separate dedicated channels, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If power spectral density is reduced for secure channels to hide them from eavesdroppers, then security is improved, but signal detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the main downlink shared channel as an intermediary carrier that provides both power and detection assistance. The secure control channel is transmitted at lower power spectral density hidden beneath the main channel, but the main channel's higher power and established detection mechanisms assist in revealing the secure channel's presence and content to authorized receivers, while remaining hidden from unauthorized eavesdroppers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communication in a wireless communication system includes a gateway and one or more terminals. The method involves scheduling a first plurality of resource elements for downlink transmission of payload data in a first physical channel with a given power spectral density; scheduling a second plurality of resource elements for downlink transmission of broadcast information and/or control information related to the downlink transmission in the first physical channel; transmitting the payload data in the first physical channel and the broadcast information and/or control information in at least the second physical channel; demodulating and decoding in at least one terminal the broadcast information and/or a subset of the control information in the second physical channel; and demodulating and decoding in the at least one terminal the payload data in the first physical channel based on the demodulated and decoded broadcast information and/or control information.