Abstract
The security and privacy provided by Visible Light Communication (VLC) technologies is an area that has been slightly addressed due to the misconception that, since light does not go through solid objects like walls, VLC-based communications cannot be eavesdropped on by outside observers. As an upcoming technology, VLC is expected to be used in multiple environments were, due to radio frequency RF overuse or limitations, RF solutions cannot or should not be employed. In this work, we study the eavesdropping characteristics of a VLC-based communication. To evaluate these concerns, a two-step process was followed. First, several simulations of a standardly used scenario were run. Later on, experimental tests were performed. Following those tests, the results of the simulations and the experimental tests were analyzed. The results of these simulations and tests seemed to indicate that VLC channels can be eavesdropped on without considerable difficulties. Furthermore, the results showed that sniffing attacks could be performed from areas outside the expected coverage of the VLC infrastructure. Finally, the use of the simulation such as the one implemented in this work to recognize places from which sniffing is possible helps determine the risk for eavesdropping that our VLC-based network has.
Highlights
Visible light communication (VLC) is one of the newest technologies that has been developed for short and middle range data communication
This technology potentially increases the available bandwidth for wireless communication systems, which currently is quite congested at Radio Frequency (RF) bands due to its massive use [1]
VLC provides a flexible communication channel that, according to the standard [2], allows data transfer rates ranging from 11.67 kb/s to
Summary
Visible light communication (VLC) is one of the newest technologies that has been developed for short and middle range data communication. The implementation of VLC is based on the use of the communication band between 380 nm and 780 nm, which is unlicensed. VLC provides a flexible communication channel that, according to the standard [2], allows data transfer rates ranging from 11.67 kb/s to. This flexibility is based on the use of three operating modes (PHY I, II and III) of which two (PHY-I and PHY-II) are mandatory to implement. This standard defines two types of modulation: On–Off Keying (OOK) and Variable Pulse-Position Modulation (VPPM) for the mandated operating modes. VLC uses a different kind of modulation, Color-Shift Keying (CSK), to achieve higher transfer rates for the third operating mode (PHY-III)
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