CT-ISG: Collaborative Research: Key Generation from Physical Layer Characteristics in Wireless Networks

该项目侧重于开发一类新的密钥生成和更新算法，通过利用物理层特征来保护无线网络。该方法的基础是确定一对节点之间的无线信道的可测量数量，这些节点之间高度相关（尽管不相同）。利用这种相关性，该项目开发了在各种对抗模型下获得共享密钥的算法。这解决了一个关键的问题领域，因为无线链路的广播性质为对手提供了自然的窃听和干预能力，因此保护无线链路对任何无线网络的安全都是至关重要的。本项目承担了多个协议的设计、实现、分析和测试，并阐明了信道特性与使用它们的加密协议之间的关系。它还研究了计算和通信成本之间的权衡，并量化了假设各种对抗模型的密钥生成和更新协议所达到的安全级别。该项目更广泛的影响在于，它有可能使无线通信更加安全，同时避免加密的成本（计算和组织成本）。鉴于无线互联网络的发展和普通用户目前携带的无线设备的数量，无线链路的安全性成为确保计算机系统安全的最关键方面之一。计算的减少也将转化为能源使用的减少，这对电池或替代动力系统很重要。在教育方面，该项目将展示信号处理、计算机安全、算法和密码学方面的一个有吸引力的组合，并将为学生的参与提供丰富的问题

This project focuses on the development of a new class of secret key generation and renewal algorithms for securing wireless networks by taking advantage of physical layer characteristics. The basis of the approach is the identification of measurable quantities of the wireless channel between a pair of nodes that are highly correlated exclusively between them (albeit not identical). Capitalizing on this correlation, the project develops algorithms for obtaining a shared key under various adversarial models. This addresses a critical problem area as the broadcast nature of a wireless link provides a natural eavesdropping and intervention capability to an adversary and thus it follows that securing a wireless link is essential to the security of any wireless network. This project undertakes the design, implementation, analysis and testing of several protocols and clarifies the relationship between the channel characteristics and the cryptographic protocols that use them. It also investigates the trade-offs between computational and communication costs, and quantifies the level of security achieved by the key generation and renewal protocols assuming various adversarial models. The broader impact of the project is in the potential of making wireless communications more secure while avoiding costs (both computational and organizational) of cryptography. Given the increased wireless internetworking and the multitude of wireless enabled devices presently carried by an average user, the security of the wireless link becomes one of the most critical aspects of securing computer systems. The reduction in the computation also will translate to a reduction in energy use, important to battery or alternative powered systems. Educationally, the project will present an attractive combination of aspects of signal processing, computer security, algorithms and cryptography and will offer a wealth of problems for student engagement