OVERVIEW
Retrodirective antennas are used where a highly directional microwave beam is required to point to the same location a pilot tone transmitter. They are a very active research topic in CWI, where they have been researched for applications such as satellite communications [1], space launch vehicle communications [2] and wireless power transfer [3]. Recently the wireless power transfer application is receiving a lot of attention in the area of the solar power space satellite (SPSS), which is a concept that will allow the energy from the sun to be harnessed from space using a geostationary satellite. The harnessed energy is intended to be transmitted to a ground station using a microwave beam. The system can potentially produce 10’s of Gigawatts of uninterrupted power, therefore having a massive impact on producing clean energy, instead of reliance on fossil fuels. One issue that still requires to be addressed for the retrodirective antenna, and is massively important in all of the proposed applications, is the security of the beam pointing. This project will research the possibility of using Post-quantum cryptography to provide secure beam pointing. Post-quantum cryptography promises to provide unbreakable security against a cryptanalytic attack, even being unsolvable by future generation of powerful quantum computers.
[1] N. B. Buchanan, V. F. Fusco and M. van der Vorst, “SATCOM Retrodirective Array,” in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 64, no. 5, pp. 1614-1621, May 2016
[2] J. Puttonen, Jie Zhang, O. Puchko, J. Kurjenniemi, P. Salaris, A. Masci, R. Romanato, D. Di Lanzo, S. Falzini, N. Buchanan, Haesik Kim, H. Paaso, J. Seppänen, P. Järvensivu, G. Martini, A. Pagnani, and I. Aguilar Sánchez, “Robust telemetry system for future launchers,” in Proc. 7th ESA International Workshop on Tracking, Telemetry and Command Systems for Space Applications (TTC 2016), Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 13-16 September 2016.
[3] https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/S007954/1
Project Description:
This PhD will address a very significant issue regarding the beam security of the retrodirective antenna. Current retrodirective antennas point the retransmitted beam in the same direction as a pilot beam signal, using only a simple CW pilot beam, which does not offer any security. This makes it easy for someone else to produce a pilot signal on the same frequency and “steal the beam”. This would be a totally unacceptable situation on an application like the SPSS, which requires “national grid” type security levels.
Objectives:
• Investigate the feasibility of potential solutions to retrodirective beam security including Post-quantum cryptography. CWI at QUB has previously researched analogue secure retrodirective antennas, and this work could be considered a starting point to produce a considerably more secure system [4].
• Undertake a vulnerability analysis of the physical security of the retrodirective system
• Produce practical demonstrations which will be measured in the anechoic chamber at the Centre for Wireless Innovation, Titanic Quarter.
[4] Y. Ding, N. Buchanan, V Fusco, “Spectral Signature Secured Retrodirective Array” IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation (2017), Volume 11 No 4 p519
Funding Information
To be eligible for consideration for an EPSRC Studentship (covering tuition fees and maintenance stipend of approx. £19,237 per annum), a candidate must satisfy all the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency and academic qualifications.
Funding Eligibility:
Please note that funding is only available to candidates who qualify as a ‘Home’ student. To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria and the associated residency requirements:
• Be a UK National,
or • Have settled status,
or • Have pre-settled status,
or • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter the UK.
Candidates from ROI may also qualify for funding.
Academic Requirements:
The minimum academic requirement for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI Higher Education provider in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Universi
