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Enhanced Wireless Cellular Packet Transmission Security via Spatial Diversity--Physical Optics Corporation, 20600 Gramercy Place, Building 100, Torrance, CA  90501-1821; 310-320-3088

Dr. Stephen Kupiec, Principal Investigator

Mr. Gordon Drew, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER83072

Amount:  $99,997

 

Secure wireless communication is essential for nonproliferation and treaty verification, tracking of fissile material and tracking and control of sensitive documents and materials.  However, mobile wireless data networks have unique security problems, since all communications are broadcast over a wide area, exposing them to interception and false authentication, allowing an interloper to capture sensitive information and/or masquerade as a valid mobile unit.  Rather than transmitting a stream of data packets from a single transceiver to a mobile unit, a cellular packet network will be developed to encrypt the packet stream and split it among overlapping cell transceiver.  Packets from all transceivers are required to decrypt the signal, and encryption depends upon the bearing and position of the mobile unit with respect to the transceivers, and on the direction from which the signal is detected by the mobile unit, greatly complicating stationary interceptors and interlopers attempting to masquerade as the cell network.  A system for dividing and encrypting packet traffic across multiple transmitters will be implemented and the resulting propagation will be simulated and modeled.  A prototype network system will be implemented using multiple off-the-shelf wireless TCP/IP networks operating on the scale of a single building.

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  Wireless broadband networks will soon be the primary means for mobile computers and Internet appliances to access the Internet.  Existing security protocols cannot ensure secure electronic commerce and reliable communications over such channels.  Wireless telephony is rapidly overtaking landline systems for consumer use, with attendant security challenges.  The proposed technology will lead to a secure wireless network, capable of protecting personal privacy and commerce.