A New Fuzzy Key Generation Method Based on PHY-Layer Fingerprints in Mobile Cognitive Radio Networks

Abstract

Classical key generation is complicated to update and key distribution generally requires fixed infrastructures. In order to eliminate these restrictions researchers have focused much attention on physical-layer (PHY-layer) based key generation methods. In this paper, we present a PHY-layer fingerprints based fuzzy key generation scheme, which works to prevent primary user emulation (PUE) attacks and spectrum sensing data falsification (SSDF) attacks, with multi-node collaborative defense strategies. We also propose two algorithms, the EA algorithm and the TA algorithm, to defend against eavesdropping attacks and tampering attacks in mobile cognitive radio networks (CRNs). We give security analyses of these algorithms in both the spatial and temporal domains, and prove the upper bound of the entropy loss in theory. We present a simulation result based on a MIMO-OFDM communication system which shows that the channel response characteristics received by legitimates tend to be consistent and phase characteristics are much more robust for key generation in mobile CRNs. In addition, NIST statistical tests show that the generated key in our proposed approach is secure and reliable.