Secure node packing of large-scale wireless networks

This paper presents a new framework to evaluate the performance of wireless networks with intrinsic secrecy. Specifically, we put forth the notion of secure node packing (SNP), defined as the number of legitimate users capable of transmitting data with secrecy using stochastic geometry. Transmission with secrecy means a legitimate receiver can decode transmitted data (reliability) while its corresponding eavesdropper cannot decode (secrecy). The SNP is derived for two cases of secure transmission: weakly secure transmission against the nearest eavesdropper and strongly secure transmission against all eavesdroppers. We quantify the effect of network parameters, including spatial densities of legitimate transmitter and eavesdropper, on the throughput of wireless networks with secrecy. In addition, we determine the SNP in the presence of a coexisting network and show that the additional interference from a coexisting network with an appropriate spatial density is beneficial for the secure network throughput.