AGC-based RF Fingerprints in Wireless Sensor Networks for authentication

Abstract

RF Fingerprints can be used to distinguish between distinct transmitter signals in a Wireless Sensor Network. We present implementation results for RF Fingerprints based on Automatic Gain Control circuitry, which is present on existing IEEE 802.15.4 WSN node hardware and in other radio systems. We analyze implementation constraints and their different effects on our results. Different noise sources affect RF Fingerprint measurement accuracy on a real hardware platform. We present a simple method to improve both accuracy and reliability.