Signal Transmission Enabling Secret Communications

Invention Summary:

Most modern secure communications systems today use cryptography to make a message unintelligible to an eavesdropper. This process comes with a cost:  it lowers the maximum data rate, and can be computationally expensive.  In addition, it requires complex encryption key sharing and management systems.

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a physical layer approach to secure communications. By using distributed beam forming and active feedback, the system aligns the transmitters’ phases at the target, precisely focusing energy at that point. The system then uses phase dithering at the transmitters to further make any signal for eavesdroppers become undetectable and undecodable. The system allows formation of an energy ball in any desired location, guaranteeing that there is only a small amount of RF everywhere else. This system allows transfer of information to a receiver without exposing user information to any eavesdroppers.

Market Applications:

• Secure wireless communication

Advantages:

• Physical Layer approach to secret communications
• Eavesdropper’s locations do not need to be known; Strong performance when eavesdropper is extreme locations
• Low overhead; increased data rate
• No noise introduced into the signal
• Complementary to cryptography based methods
• Can be readily applied for commercial communication systems using QAM or OFDM
• Appropriate hardware (distributed base stations) will be widely available in 5G deployments
• More precise control of the phase of transmitters

Intellectual Property & Development Status:

Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.