Collaborative Research: SaTC: CORE: Medium: Securing Next G Millimeter-Wave Communication in Programmable RF Environments with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (SECURIS)

可重构智能表面(RISS)旨在动态调整射频(RF)环境，以提高信号质量和覆盖范围。它将是下一代(下一代)毫米波(毫米波)无线通信的关键组件。但是，RISS也可以方便地被攻击者用于恶意目的，例如获取窃听优势、降低无线链路质量或毒化信道估计。这些攻击将严重影响下一代通信系统的可用性、完整性和安全性。由于攻击者可能在物理层改变RF传播环境，因此在数据层的传统数据加密或认证机制是不有用的。为了抵御这些攻击，该项目将在物理层开展四项紧密相关的研究：(I)调查和创建RIS信号水印嵌入和签名附加，以实现高效和稳健的RIS信号/传播路径验证；(Ii)通过协作传感来定位恶意RIS以进行频谱强制执行；(Iii)利用基于神经网络的波束成形技术进行低截获概率和弹性RIS辅助通信；以及(Iv)建立包括RIS制造在内的毫米波试验台，并进行实验评估。该项目的创新之处在于创建了物理层安全构建块来保护RIS辅助的毫米波通信。更广泛的意义和重要性是：(I)奠定RIS辅助通信的安全基础，(Ii)确保不同频段和范例的射频通信，包括后向散射和共生通信，(Iii)为下一个G联盟的路线图和标准化工作做出贡献，以及(Iv)通过参与大学提供的各种实习和外展计划，扩大代表性不足群体的参与。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are designed to dynamically adjust the radio frequency (RF) environment to improve signal quality and coverage. It will be a critical component of the next generation (Next G) millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communication. However, RISs can also be conveniently manipulated by an attacker for malicious purposes such as gaining eavesdropping advantages, degrading wireless link quality, or poisoning channel estimation. These attacks will severely impact the availability, integrity, and security of Next G communication systems. Since the attackers can potentially alter the RF propagation environment at physical layer, conventional data encryption or authentication mechanisms at the data layer are not useful. To defeat these attacks, the project will carry out four tightly connected research thrusts at the physical layer: (i) to investigate and create RIS signal watermark embedding and signature appending to enable efficient and robust RIS signal/propagation path authentication, (ii) to localize malicious RISs through collaborative sensing for spectrum enforcement, (iii) to leverage neural network-based beamforming for low-probability-of-intercept and resilient RIS-assisted communication, and (iv) to build a mmWave testbed including the fabrication of a RIS and carry out experimental evaluation. This project’s novelty is on creating physical layer security building blocks to protect RIS-assisted mmWave communication. The broader significance and importance are: (i) to lay the secure foundations of RIS-assisted communication, (ii) to securing RF communication in different frequency bands and paradigms, including backscatter and symbiotic communications, (iii) to contribute to the roadmap and standardization efforts of Next G Alliance, and (iv) to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups through various internship and outreach programs offered at participating universities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.