Cross-layered design of security scheme for cooperative MIMO sensor networks

In this paper, the authors propose a cross-layer security scheme for virtual MIMO networks. The scheme combines cryptographic technique implemented in higher layers with data assurance analysis at the physical layer to provide better security. The scheme can, of course, be used for a traditional non-cooperative MIMO network. First, the authors show an efficient key management system that can provide secured communication and routing with a small number of keys shared between the clusters which cooperate on data transmission and reception. Then, the authors show a novel approach that can detect and identify compromised nodes in transmission process at physic layer. By key revocation the compromised nodes are discarded and the clusters/virtual MIMO nodes are self-reconfigured. The primary evaluation shows that the key management system can secure communication and routing with small number of keys, and the approach for detecting compromised nodes is very effective.