Communication systems typically use a single carrier frequency to transmit data, even when using multiple transmit antennas. The modulated array technique instead uses slightly different frequencies to transmit the same data stream over multiple antennas. The transmitted signals will then combine in different ways over different position in space.

As a result, in some positions the combination will give a strong signal, while in other positions the signal will be very weak. Thus, by suitably changing the frequencies over the various antennas we can focus the signal in certain spots and avoid that it reaches other positions.

The thesis aims at studying this phenomenon to improve the security of a communication system, in particular to enable an intended received (in a given position) to correctly receive the data, while preventing an eavesdropper (in another position) to overhear the transmission.

In the thesis the following steps will be addressed:
- the frequency modulated arrays will be first explored and a signal processing model is obtained
- the metrics to properly define the confidentiality in the considered context will be defined
- the modulation to be used in the arrays to obtain target security performance will be investigated
- performance will be evaluated with simulation in Matlab or Python

For more information contact:
Prof. Stefano Tomasin ( stefano.tomasin@unipd.it )


References:
Nusenu, Shaddrack Yaw. "Development of frequency modulated array antennas for millimeter-wave communications." Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing 2019 (2019).
Ji, Shilong, et al. "On physical-layer security of FDA communications over Rayleigh fading channels." IEEE transactions on cognitive communications and networking 5.3 (2019): 476-490.