A Physical-Layer Authentication Assisted Scheme for Enhancing 3GPP Authentication

The broadcast nature of radio propagation makes wireless networks vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks. To enhance authentication strength in wireless networks, various physical layer authentication schemes were proposed by exploiting physical layer characteristics. Recently, we proposed a novel PHYsical layer Phase Challenge-Response Authentication Scheme (PHY-PCRAS), which exploits both the reciprocity and randomness of the phase responses over independent parallel multicarrier channels. In this paper, we first extend it to more practical Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmission. Then, security analysis is provided, and information-theoretic security is formulated for PHY-PCRAS over both independent and correlated subchannels. Finally, we propose a practical framework for incorporating the mechanism of physical layer authentication into the current Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) protocol. Compared to the conventional 3GPP AKA protocol, the PHY-PCRAS assisted authentication process can ensure some degree of information-theoretic security. It is also possible to further protect the subsequent classic AKA process on the air through the physical layer secure information transmission technique.