Collaborative Research: CNS Core: Medium: Access, Mobility, and Security above 100 GHz

使用100 GHz以上的频率进行无线通信正在迅速崛起，成为未来(超过5G)无线系统的关键推动因素。这些被称为太赫兹(THz)链路的高频系统提供了许多令人兴奋的可能性，例如超高速数据传输和增强对窃听等恶意攻击的恢复能力。然而，到目前为止，关于如何实现一个既能为多个移动用户提供高带宽链路，又能保持安全不被窃听的网络的研究还很少。这项提议的目标是开发必要的硬件和协议，为移动用户实现有效利用这些高频的安全网络。研究团队将开发一套方法，使基站能够快速定位广播区域中的多个用户(即使他们正在移动)，与每个用户建立高速无线链路，并检测和缓解窃听攻击。此外，该项目包括一个协调计划，以扩大传统上代表不足的群体的参与，并包括一个为期一周的高中生太赫兹研究暑期课程。该项目的总体目标是开发一个全新的节点体系结构，该体系结构可以本质上支持宽带THz网络中移动客户端的多址接入，同时还保持高度的安全性。该项目的一个重点是探索利用强角色散的新型天线设计。我们提出了一种新的方法来实现这类设备的主动快速电气调谐，该方法将被用于检测窃听攻击，以及定位合法用户和移动性检测。第二个项目旨在开发时空调制阵列结构，通过频谱混叠对广播旁瓣中包含的信息进行加扰。与灵活的感知功能相结合，建议的界面将有选择地创建通信安全区。在第三个推力中，我们将利用这一新节点架构的强大功能来确保维持多个移动用户的服务质量，即使同时保证窃听者不仅无法访问主要通信信道，而且还无法访问建立和维护移动链路所需的控制平面功能。这一结果将为频谱高效和安全的太赫兹网络提供最佳性能，即使在存在串通窃听者的复杂攻击的情况下也是如此。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。

The use of frequencies above 100 GHz for wireless communication is rapidly emerging as a key enabler for future (beyond 5G) wireless systems. These high-frequency systems, which are referred to as terahertz (THz) links, offer numerous exciting possibilities, such as ultra-high-speed data transmission and enhanced resilience against malicious attacks such as eavesdropping. Yet, so far, little research has been devoted to the question of how to implement a network that can provide high bandwidth links for multiple mobile users, while still maintaining security against eavesdroppers. The objective of this proposal is to develop the hardware and protocols necessary to implement a secure network for mobile users which efficiently exploits these high frequencies. The research team will develop a set of methodologies to enable a base station to rapidly locate multiple users in a broadcast region (even if they are moving), to establish high-speed wireless links with each of them, and to detect and mitigate eavesdropping attacks. In addition, the project includes a coordinated plan for broadening participation of traditionallyunder-represented groups, and includes a one-week summer course on THz research for high-school students.The overarching goal of this project is to develop a radically new node architecture which can intrinsically support multiple access for mobile clients in a broadband THz network, while also maintaining a high degree of security. One thrust of this project involves the exploration of novel antenna designs which exploit strong angular dispersion. We propose a new method to enable active fast electrical tuning of such devices which will be exploited for detection of an eavesdropping attack, as well as for localization of legitimate users and mobility detection. A second project thrust aims to develop spatio-temporal modulated array architectures for scrambling the information contained in side-lobes of the broadcast, via spectral aliasing. Combined with agile sensing functionalities, the proposed interface will selectively create secure zones for communication. In a third thrust, we will leverage the power of this new node architecture to ensure that the quality of service for multiple mobile users is maintained, even while guaranteeing that eavesdroppers are unable to access, not only the primary communication channels, but also control plane functions required to establish and maintain mobile links. The result will provide the optimal performance for a spectrally efficient and secure THz network, even in the presence of a sophisticated attack by colluding eavesdroppers.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.