On the continuity of the secrecy capacity of wiretap channels under channel uncertainty

Holger Boche, Rafael F. Schaefer, H. Vincent Poor

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The performance of a secure communication system such as the wiretap channel is usually characterized by its secrecy capacity. In this paper, the issue of whether or not the secrecy capacity is a continuous function of the system parameters is examined. In particular, this is done for channel uncertainty modeled via compound channels and arbitrarily varying channels, in which the legitimate users know only that the true channel realization is from a pre-specified uncertainty set. In the former model, this realization remains constant for the entire duration of transmission, while in the latter the realization varies from channel use to channel use in an unknown and arbitrary manner. The secrecy capacity of the compound wiretap channel is shown to be robust in the sense that it is a continuous function of the uncertainty set. Thus, small variations in the uncertainty set lead to small variations in secrecy capacity. However, the secrecy capacity of the arbitrarily varying wiretap channel is shown to be discontinuous in the uncertainty set meaning that small variations can lead to dramatic losses in capacity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2015 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages4163-4168
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781467364324
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 9 2015
EventIEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2015 - London, United Kingdom
Duration: Jun 8 2015Jun 12 2015

Publication series

NameIEEE International Conference on Communications
Volume2015-September
ISSN (Print)1550-3607

Other

OtherIEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period6/8/156/12/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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