Cybersecurity in New Communications Systems through 4D Array Architectures

In this paper, an optimization-based synthesis of 4D array is performed in order to provide an additional layer of security to secure the communication signals from eavesdroppers. The security is ensured by transmitting undistorted signals along the directions of interest while maximizing the distortion elsewhere, thanks to the directional modulation (DM) characteristics of 4D array. Towards this goal, the on/off sequence of modulating pulses controlling the RF switches have been optimized by a customized strategy based on a binary Genetic Algorithm (GA). An innovative objective function based on fidelity factor (FF) which quantifies the degree of distortion as a function of angular directions is defined. Numerical and experimental results have been reported in order to validate behavior and potentialities of the proposed synthesis approach for physical layer secure communications.