Antenna-driven methods for increased wireless network security

Conventional techniques currently used for secure communications are subject to significant vulnerabilities, especially for wireless systems. Unauthorized interceptors have more computation power than ever before to record and potentially decode sensitive information, and there is very little protection against disruptive interference, i.e., jamming. Our research goals are to identify and characterize new methods using antenna design and radiation properties to increase the security of wireless networks. Two major threats are addressed in this work---jammers and eavesdroppers. The problem space outlined for the first threat is the open broadcast of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and the solution is developed from the view of a receiver seeking a desired signal in the presence of potentially stronger interference. In the second case, we consider any system with a known transmission angle but possible eavesdroppers in other directions. The proposed solution is a novel modulation technique that we call secure antenna polarization modulation, or SAPM. For both cases, we share the theory, design justifications, and simulation results, as well as measurement data from prototypes. Based on the presented ideas, results, and analysis, there is high potential for these solutions in a variety of wireless applications, especially those that are limited in their ability to use traditional methods for security.LimitedAuthor requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste