Private 5G cellular connectivity as a service through full-stack wireless steganography
Inventors
MELODIA, Tommaso • BONATI, Leonardo • D'ORO, Salvatore • RESTUCCIA, Francesco
Assignees
Northeastern University Boston
Publication Number
US-12120096-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-15
Expiration Date
2041-05-11
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Abstract
A steganographic communication system and method are provided. A covert packet generator can embed a stream of covert data as covert data symbols within primary I/Q symbols of a primary data stream in a covert packet. The covert packet has a data structure having a header, a payload, and a payload error detecting code. The header includes information on how to demodulate the covert packet by a receiver. The covert packet generator can also determine if a number of primary I/Q symbols is large enough to generate the header and can generate displacements in the primary I/Q symbols in a constellation diagram randomly in a plurality of transmissions to mimic channel noise. A transmitter and receiver can provide mutual authentication for covert transmissions.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a steganographic communication system and method that enables covert data to be embedded as covert data symbols within primary in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) symbols of a primary data stream, generating a covert packet with a distinct data structure. Each covert packet includes a header, a payload, and a payload error detecting code. The header comprises information necessary for the receiver to demodulate the covert packet, including payload length, demodulation instructions, packet number, modulation scheme, and error detecting codes.
This technology addresses the problem in existing steganographic approaches that lack reliability, are prone to demodulation errors, and cannot support long-range communications or integrate seamlessly with cellular networks. Traditional methods operating only at the physical layer do not provide efficient or undetectable covert communications necessary for practical deployment of private cellular connectivity as a service (PCCaaS).
The core system uses a covert packet generator to determine whether a sufficient number of primary I/Q symbols is available to create the header, embeds covert symbols based on various modulation schemes, and optionally generates random displacements in the primary I/Q constellation diagram to mimic channel noise and enhance undetectability. The transmitter and receiver are equipped to provide mutual authentication for secure covert transmissions. The system achieves high-throughput, reliable, and undetectable steganographic communication suitable for dynamic, time-varying traffic and can be seamlessly integrated into standard-compliant LTE/5G cellular systems without disrupting primary traffic.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes several independent claims that define inventive features covering devices, systems, and methods for steganographic communication using covert embedding within primary I/Q symbols, with support for reliability, authentication, and undetectability.
Device for steganographic communication with covert packet generator
A device comprising a transmitter with one or more processors and memory, wherein the transmitter includes a covert packet generator that: - Receives a covert data stream and a primary data stream of primary I/Q symbols. - Embeds the covert data as covert data symbols within the primary I/Q symbols to create a covert packet. - The covert packet has a header, a payload, and a payload error detecting code. - The covert packet generator determines if the number of primary I/Q symbols is sufficient to generate the header.
System including device and receiver with covert detection and demodulation
A system comprising the above device and a receiver located remotely, where: - The receiver includes processors and memory. - The receiver has a covert packet detector that detects incoming covert packets and extracts covert information. - The receiver includes a covert demodulator for demodulating the covert symbols.
Steganographic communication method with packet generation and transmission
A method for steganographic communication comprising: - At a transmitter, generating a covert packet with covert data embedded as covert symbols in primary I/Q symbols, the packet including header, payload, and error detecting code. - Determining if enough primary I/Q symbols exist for header generation. - Transmitting the covert packet as a radio frequency signal to a remote receiver.
The inventive features focus on embedding covert data within primary I/Q symbols using a covert packet generator, supporting reliable transmission (including error detection, acknowledgements, and retransmissions), random displacements for undetectability, mutual authentication between transmitter and receiver, and integration with standard cellular communication systems.
Stated Advantages
The steganographic system provides high covert data throughput, achieving covert throughput up to 90% of primary traffic in most experiments.
The system offers reliable and channel-resilient communications through error-coding, retransmissions, and adaptive covert modulation schemes.
It enables undetectable covert communications by mimicking wireless channel noise, reducing the detectability of covert data transmissions.
The technology is standard-compliant and can be integrated seamlessly into existing LTE/5G cellular systems without disrupting primary communications.
The impact on primary traffic throughput is minimal, with less than 6% reduction in experiments and negligible packet errors.
Mutual authentication is provided, ensuring only authorized transmitters and receivers can exchange covert data.
The system is effective for long-range covert communication, demonstrated at distances up to 852 ft.
Documented Applications
Providing Private Cellular Connectivity as a Service (PCCaaS), where infrastructure providers deploy covert network slices for select users.
Enabling law enforcement agencies to establish undetectable communications with undercover agents using existing cellular infrastructure.
Allowing the covert operation of IoT devices such as audio/video 'bugs' transmitting over private, concealed cellular slices.
Supporting secure communications for first-responder users requiring private and undetectable cellular connectivity.
Facilitating private and secure communications among cellular network users for applications that require additional security guarantees.
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