Security Design Model for Cognitive Radio Networks

Abstract

Cognitive Radios belongs to the class of smart communication devices that exploit the spectrum underutilization to its fullest and provide the best communication services possible. But all that technology requires robust algorithms and constant improvements against latest threats and exponential evolving communication domain. Security is one of those evolving domains. Ever high data rates and information requires security against malicious users, and specially provide guaranteed communications. The cognitive radios (CR-MAC) a application specific CR tends to operate on two different channels at a same time to achieve the maximum efficiently possible. One channel is used to communicate data and another narrow band low bandwidth channel called CCC (Common control channel) is used to communicate the control messages. The most basic form of understanding takes place on the common control channel e.g. Routing information, Back off time, Free channel list, channel negotiations, Neighbour information and other basic control messages. Normally common control is unsecure and does not require any security as there is actually no useful information passing through the channels other then what all the neighbours already know. But this channel/basic form of communication can become the single point of failure. If some adversary is able to jam the CCC, it has actually jammed the whole network. No control information means Nodes/SU cannot communicate. Jamming the CCC is easy and effective. In this research I have focused on designing a new CCC algorithm that can provide both security and robustness that is required by the Cognitive radio in order to communicate effectively. The proposed research shows that, a secure algorithm can provide better performance and security without compromising on the Upper time bounds. The final result shows that the time metrics are improved by 1% as compared to the JSR and Pure Random algorithm. Further nondeterministic sequence ensures security at every instant.