Robust location distinction using temporal link signatures

Abstract

The ability of a receiver to determine when a transmitter has changed location is important for energy conservation in wireless sensor networks, for physical security of radio tagged objects, and for wireless network security in detection of replication attacks. In embodiments of the present invention, a measured temporal link signature is determined to uniquely identify the link between a transmitter and a receiver. The temporal link signature is an impulse response of a transmitted signal from the transmitter over a channel between the transmitter and a receiver over a channel. When the transmitter changes location, or if an attacker at a different location assumes the identity of the transmitter, the proposed link distinction methodology reliably detects the change in the physical channel. This detection can be performed at a single receiver or collaboratively by multiple receivers.