The generation of shared cryptographic keys through half duplex channel impulse response estimation at 60 GHz

Abstract

Methods to generate private keys based on wireless channel characteristics have been proposed as an alternative to standard key-management schemes. In this paper, we discuss recent results in the implementation of a system for the generation of private keys for cryptographic communications using channel impulse-response estimation at 60 GHz. The testbed is composed of commercial millimeter-wave VubIQ transceivers, laboratory equipment, and software implemented in MATLAB. Novel cognitive enhancements are demonstrated, using channel estimation to dynamically change system parameters and estimate cryptographic key strength. We show for a complex channel that secret key generation can be accomplished on the order of 100 kb/s.