Physical Layer Security for Integrated Communication Localization and Sensing in 6G Networks

预计6G网络将是地面网络和非地面网络(NTN)的组合。NTN将是具有3D移动性的基站，如低地球轨道(LEO)卫星、无人驾驶飞行器(UAV)和高空平台站(HAPS)系统。这种NTN元素的存在在覆盖、计算、定位和传感方面引入了新的特征。然而，它们的存在也使6G网络容易受到新的安全威胁，特别是在物理层(PHY)。第一种威胁类型来自通信攻击，这种攻击预计会随着无线回程连接的存在而增加。在传统的网络体系结构中，回程流量通过光缆或高定向微波链路进行路由。然而，在新兴的6G网络架构中，这种连接将通过无线通道提供。由于无线通信信道的非引导性质，该链路在PHY中可能受到主动和/或被动攻击。国家警察部队提供的更大的视线覆盖范围将进一步加剧这一安全问题。第二种主要威胁类型是本地化系统，特别是对NTN分子。低轨卫星、无人机或HAPS的位置信息是影响网络整体性能的重要网络特性。在天线节点中缺少位置信息或在感测方面存在问题可能会对整个网络运行构成威胁。错误的位置信息可能是更严重的问题，因为从移动节点的角度来看的网络动作将基于瞬时操作条件来确定。由于物理层可能会遇到定位干扰和欺骗攻击，因此应设计相应的对策。该项目旨在为具有NTN元素的6G网络的综合无线通信、定位和传感系统设计和开发一个PHY安全工具包。主要目标是提出实际相关的安全和隐私促进技术，这些技术不会损害通信性能，作为对可能针对6G网络的攻击的对策。该计划将培训学生，让他们接触6G网络预期的运营和安全挑战，为加拿大移动无线产业的增长做出贡献，并帮助建立支持6G开发活动的研发队伍。它还将涉及技术和知识转让以及安全帧结构和信令设计，共同针对通信、本地化和传感性能。有针对性的全面PHY安全框架也可以整合到上层的安全解决方案中。总体而言，端到端通信链路的可信性将从保密性、隐私和可用性方面进行定位。

6G networks are expected to be a combination of the terrestrial network and the non-terrestrial Network (NTN). NTN will be base stations with 3D mobility, such as low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs), and high altitude platform station (HAPS) systems. The presence of such NTN elements introduces new features in terms of coverage, computation, localization, and sensing. However, their presence also makes 6G networks vulnerable to new security threats, especially in the physical layer (PHY). The first threat type emerges from the communication attacks that are expected to increase with the presence of wireless backhaul connectivity. In the classical network architecture, the backhaul traffic is routed through either fiber optic cables or highly directional microwave links. Yet, in the emerging 6G network architecture, this connectivity will be provided through a wireless channel. Due to the unguided nature of the wireless communication channel, this link may be subject to active and/or passive attacks in PHY. The larger line-of-sight (LoS) coverage area provided by the NTN elements will further contribute to this security problem. The second major threat type is on the localization systems, especially for NTN elements. The location information of a LEO satellite, a UAV, or a HAPS is an essential network characteristic that will affect the overall network performance. The absence of location information or problems in terms of sensing in an aerial node may be a threat to the overall network operation. Erroneous location information can be a more severe problem as the actions of the network from the perspective of the mobile nodes will be determined based on the instantaneous operational conditions. As localization jamming and spoofing attacks can be encountered in PHY, the appropriate countermeasures should be designed. This project aims to design and develop a PHY security toolset for the integrated wireless communication, localization and sensing systems of 6G networks with NTN elements. The main objective is to propose practically relevant security and privacy-promoting techniques that will not compromise the communication performance as a countermeasure to the possible attacks towards 6G networks. The program will train students and expose them to the expected operational and security challenges of 6G networks, contributing to the growth of Canada's mobile wireless industry and helping to build the R&D workforce that will support 6G development activities. It will also involve technology and knowledge transfer and a secure frame structure and signaling designs that jointly target communication, localization, and sensing performance. The targeted comprehensive PHY security framework can be incorporated into the security solutions of the upper layers as well. Overall, the trustworthiness of the end-to-end communication links will be targeted from secrecy, privacy, and availability aspects.