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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Investigating Wireless Quantum Key Distribution for Advanced Reactor Communications

Remote operation of small modular reactor (SMR) facilities is an appealing prospect for streamlined operation costs, safety concerns, and user convenience. The ability to guarantee security of communication channels between offsite users and nuclear reactor facilities is critical to enabling remote operations, given the sensitive nature of reactor state data. This report proposes a configuration implementing quantum key distribution (QKD) and advanced encryption standard (AES) protocols to establish secure reactor data feeds. The model outlined, which utilizes the Argonne-developed SeQUeNCe software package and custom MATLAB code, determines free-space channel losses for microwave-band communications in a variety of weather conditions and simulates QKD via ground-satellite links. This report demonstrates the feasibility of repeatable, real-time key generation and distribution for this configuration towards enabling secure wireless reactor communications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integration of Wireless Sensor Networks and Battery-free RFID for Advanced Reactors

To address an important need for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to significantly reduce the amount of the required cables for sensor data communications, this Phase I SBIR effort successfully developed and demonstrated a novel low-cost proof-of-concept prototype of a secure wireless sensor network backbone communications system. This system combines commercially available low power, low cost XBEE wireless communications network and passive (battery-free) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to report individual sensor data and their location through the containment wall for rapid response to anomalies in nuclear facilities. This WIreless Sensing and Locating (WISLO) system network architecture allows non-intrusive wireless collection of sensor data with the sensor’s accurate location information from inside of the instrumentation or containment area with minimal need for power sources. The multi-node sensor data in the containment area is wirelessly transmitted to outside through the metal reinforced concrete walls without the need for any batteries. The WISLO system could be readily used in current reactor fleet and future advanced reactors, as well as in small modular reactors (SMR). The WISLO system is the first dual frequency battery-free trough the wall communications backbone system developed specifically for use in nuclear power plants. It not only can modernize the sensor monitoring practices in the existing reactor fleet, but also offers a secure, low-cost solution to advanced reactors and SMRs by removing cables and issues related to them such as cable integrity, reporting delays, and installation and maintenance costs. The intent is to improve process safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness to the monitoring and maintenance process in current and future plants. As we address the next productization and manufacturing capabilities in the next phase, this system will serve the needs of many commercial and government applications in remote monitoring of sensor data that demand battery-free transmission of sensor data such as Internet-of-Things (IOT).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Commercialization of the Transportation-Security, Tracking, and Reporting System (T-STAR)

The Transportation-Security, Tracking, and Reporting System (T-STAR) was developed by the National Nuclear Security Administration, NA-21, Office of Radiological Security (ORS) to provide a transportation security system for detection and tracking during transport of Category 1 and Category 2 radiological material. Few off-the-shelf systems for conveyance tracking offer detection of a cargo compartment breach or a removal of the cargo. Systems that do offer this capability often require permanent installation through modifying of the conveyance itself. This is not sustainable in many countries where ORS is building use, storage, and transport security capacity. The development of T-STAR has moved from fielding robust prototypes deployed in countries ranging from North America, Latin America and Central Asia to a commercially produced product that can now be deployed to provide enhanced security during transit. Each prototype deployment resulted in important lessons learned, which informed the requirements for the final commercial product. T-STAR uses both cellular and Iridium satellite modems to provide redundant communications to provide the configuration, status, and alerts to a server monitoring the shipment, which is accessible using a multilanguage browser-based user interface. A wireless security system employing using Z-wave sensors for intrusion detection located in the conveyance provide low cost but effective solution for a wide range of conveyance types. Additional capabilities include the ability to monitor a vehicles’ CANBUS (Controller Area Network) system, an ethernet port for high throughput sensor information such as video cameras, and the ability to power and use advanced external sensor payloads. These features make the T-STAR a capable and expandable security gateway that can be deployed on a variety of conveyances from box trucks to open trailers. The ability to provide tracking, monitoring, and detection provide a key component in overall best practices designed to protect shipments of radioactive material.

Schultze, Michael [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000283205671)↗
DOE OSTI2019

ADVANCING THE TRANSPORTATION – SECURITY, TRACKING, AND REPORTING (T-STAR) SYSTEM

The Transportation – Security, Tracking and Reporting (T-STAR) System was developed by NNSA NA-21 Office of Radiological Security (ORS) to provide a transportation security system for use during transport of Category 1 and Category 2 radiological material to provide detection and tracking capability for shipments. While many off the shelf systems provide asset tracking of the conveyance, few offer detection of a breach into the cargo compartment or the removal of cargo from the conveyance. Systems that do offer such capability need to be permanently installed on the conveyance, requiring drilling of holes and running of cables throughout the conveyance itself. This means that dedicated shipping containers or vehicles are required, and this is not sustainable in many countries where ORS is building capacity for the security of radioactive materials in use, storage, and in transport. T-STAR is leveraging various ORNL technologies for improved communications capability and reduced power requirements; the multimode communications module developed by the Unmanned Aerial Systems group and the low power and extensible Authenticatable Container Tracking System (ACTS) tag developed for the US Department of Energy’s Packaging Certification Program provide a small footprint tracking system which can be installed quickly as needed. T-STAR uses a cellular and an Iridium modem to communicate configuration and alert information to a server used to monitor the shipment and incorporates a Z-wave © wireless security system allowing various intrusion detection sensors to be located in the conveyance. The Z-wave sensors are readily available, inexpensive, and power efficient, making them replaceable and low maintenance. The server software be configured as a standalone system installed on a light duty computer hosted by the competent authority, carrier, or response agency, or hosted as part of an Amazon Cloud Server (AWS) accessible via a secure login. The server has two functions, first is to handle messages to/from the T-STAR field unit, second is to host the user interface which can be accessed using a web browser on desktop or mobile device. The user interface implements roles to determine the level of access to shipment information, define geo-fences, and configure notifications. The user interface also supports multiple languages for display as well as notifications by using a simple lookup file which can be modified by the host country to ensure translations are correct and meaningful to responders receiving notifications and alerts. This paper will detail the overarching T-STAR capabilities, architecture and components, and provide insights on how it is deployed, used, and monitored during transportation of radioactive material.

Schultze, Michael↗
DOE OSTI2014

An efficient wireless power transfer system with security considerations for electric vehicle applications

This paper presents a secure inductive wireless power transfer (WPT) system for electric vehicle (EV) applications, such as charging the electric devices inside EVs and performing energy exchange between EVs. The key is to employ chaos theory to encrypt the wirelessly transferred energy which can then be decrypted by specific receptors in the multi-objective system. In this paper, the principle of encrypted WPT is first revealed. Then, computer simulation is conducted to validate the feasibility of the proposed system. Moreover, by comparing the WPT systems with and without encryption, the proposed energy encryption scheme does not involve noticeable power consumption.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tunable surface acoustic wave device using semiconducting MgZnO and piezoelectric NiZnO dual-layer structure on glass

Tunable surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have attracted considerable interests due to its applications in emerging fields, such as secured wireless communication, adaptive signal processing, and smart sensing systems. We report a dual-input-voltage-controlled tunable SAW built on glass, which uses a ZnO-based dual-layer structure consisting of a piezoelectric Ni- doped ZnO (NZO) and semiconducting Mg-doped ZnO (MZO). The interdigital (IDT) electrodes are buried in the piezoelectric NZO layer to form the delay line for SAW propagation, while the semiconductor MZO layer serves as the channel of a thin film transistor (TFT) to modulate the conductivity. Results show the interface between MZO channel and SiO 2 gate dielectric layer of the TFTT significantly impacts on SAW tuning performances due to Zn diffusion from MZO into SiO 2 . The TFT-SAW device using an ultra-thin MgO layer as interface modification enables SAW frequency tuning of 0.53% under solely V gs control with 0–12 V. The required voltage range is significantly reduced compared regular MZO-NZO TFT-SAW counterpart (Δf/f c ~ 0.25%; V gs –30 to –14 V) without interface modification. With additional control of V ds , the SAW frequency tunability is further expanded from 0.46% to 0.63%. As a result, this dual-input voltage-controlled frequency tuning device on glass is promising for low-voltage, low-cost portable smart sensors and voltage-controlled reconfigurable radio-frequency identification tags.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Audio misinformation encoding via an on-phone sub-terahertz metasurface

We demonstrate a wireless security application to protect the weakest link in phone-to-phone communication, using a terahertz metasurface. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an eavesdropping countermeasure in which the attacker is actively misled.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

YOLO for Radio Frequency Signal Classification

Radio frequency signal classification plays a pivotal role in various applications, including spectrum management, wireless security, and cognitive radio. Extant signal classification methods require significant data throughput and are not multilabel. We propose a novel approach to radio frequency signal classification by leveraging the You Only Look Once (YOLO) object detection method. YOLO is a state-of-the-art deep learning model renowned for its real-time object detection capabilities in computer vision applications. We adapt YOLO for signal classification to enable the automatic and efficient identification of various signal types within a power spectral density image. Index Terms—radio-frequency analysis, object detection, neural networks, machine learning, deep learning.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Draft Methodology for Cybersecurity Analysis for Adoption of Wireless Technology in Nuclear Power Plants

The report is delivered as DOE-NE Cybersecurity Program Milestone M2CT-22IN1104014-Industry cybersecurity guidance adoption status. The milestone is specifically to document the process and the status of the efforts towards developing guidance in support of industry’s adoption of wireless communication technologies. To transform the operation of nuclear power plants, including domestic light-water reactors, advanced reactors, microreactors, and fission battery, for grid and non-grid applications, secure and resilient wireless capabilities are required. In addition, to realize new operational concepts such as autonomous operation and remote monitoring, advanced sensor, and instrumentation, wireless technology is essential. However, industry implementation is low, and there is no technical basis for how to understand and address potential risks for wireless communications for critical plant functions. A methodology with a technical basis for implementing secure wireless communication is crucial. This wireless adoption methodology is intended to assist a licensee in identifying an appropriate technological approach for securing wireless communications in nuclear power plant. However, this methodology does not provide guidance for addressing wireless design criteria or for addressing all the cybersecurity commitments in licensees’ cybersecurity plans (CSPs) including addressing security impact analysis that a licensee must perform before an update to a Critical Digital Asset (CDA). This methodology guides a licensee through a process of evaluating a proposed wireless implementation and drafting a plant change notification for an example use case. The example is a generic/nonproprietary version of the first test case of the methodology, which, if successfully implemented, is part of the consideration for protecting other functions’ use of wireless in a cybersecure manner.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS2011

Secure Intra-Body Wireless Communications (SIWiC) System Project

SIWiC System is a project to investigate, design and implement future wireless networks of implantable sensors in the body. This futuristic project is designed to make use of the emerging and yet-to-emerge technologies, including ultra-wide band (UWB) for wireless communications, smart implantable sensors, ultra low power networking protocols, security and privacy for bandwidth and power deficient devices and quantum computing. Progress in each of these fronts is hindered by the needs of breakthrough. But, as we will see in this paper, these major challenges are being met or will be met in near future. SIWiC system is a network of in-situ wireless devices that are implanted to coordinate sensed data inside the body, such as symptoms monitoring collected internally, or biometric data collected of an outside object from within the intra-body network. One node has the capability of communicating outside the body to send data or alarm to a relevant authority, e.g., a remote physician.

Ahmad, Aftab↗
DOE OSTI2021

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF A SECURE SELF-LEVELING WIRELESS RECHARGING PLATFORM FOR AN AERIAL DRONE ON AN UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL

The Design and Development of an automated recharging station for an aerial drone, onboard a small, unmanned surface vessel, is described. Drones require a landing surface that is level within five degrees of the surrounding terrain for repeated reliable landing and takeoff. System constraints and at-sea application necessitate a compact, lightweight, and secure solution. A passive self-leveling platform and an accompanying automated parallel-pusher drone restraint mechanism have been designed and fabricated to aid in achieving a level landing surface and holding the drone in place while it charges. The self-leveling mechanism has been analyzed and subjected to initial laboratory tests. The testing of the drone restraint mechanism to verify its weight capacity and closing time, and the integration of the platform with a custom conductive contact wireless charging pad are identified as future work. The resulting cohesive unit will be tested for performance optimization and implementation onboard the unmanned surface vehicle.

McKinney, Adriana↗
DOE OSTI2022

Seamless Wireless Communication Platform for Internet of Things Applications

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices resulted in the proliferation of wireless technologies to cater to their increasing data rate requirements and support multiple applications. However, such ever-increasing wireless technologies present numerous challenges such as incompatible wireless standards, increased energy consumption, and insecure communication. The traditional gateways proposed in the literature suffers from limitations such as computational complexity, resource requirements, increased cost, and device size. We vision an era of seamless wireless communication to alleviate the aforementioned challenges in IoT applications. through three inter-dependent functionalities namely detection and identification of wireless technologies, energy-efficient transmit power control, and secure end-to-end communication. To prove the concept, a new gateway is proposed to achieve these three functionalities with only physical layer measurements so that the different communication protocols in the higher layers can be avoided. Novel schemes are conceptualized for resource-limited seamless IoT applications. Moreover, the conceptual seamless IoT platform is validated through software-based computer simulation and software-defined radio-based testbed implementation. Finally, the preliminary analysis demonstrates that the proposed platform has great potential in advancing seamless IoT applications.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Security and Privacy Issues in New 5G and 6G Capabilities

Slides for opening INL hosted panel on Security and Privacy Issues in New 5G and 6G Capabilities in the Security and Privacy of Next-Generation Networks (FutureG) Workshop co-located with NDSS Symposium 2025, San Diego, CA.

5G Security↗
DOE OSTI2023

Secure Roaming with 5G

This invited talk in the 2023 6th IEEE 5G Workshop on First Responder and Tactical Networks discusses security improvement introduced by the 3GPP standards to the 5G roaming capabilities over 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) standards.

5G↗
DOE OSTI2016

Security-Oriented and Load-Balancing Wireless Data Routing Game in the Integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Network in Smart Grid

Ensuring flexible and reliable data routing is indispensable for the integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks, we propose a secure-oriented and load-balancing wireless data routing scheme. A novel utility function is designed based on security routing scheme. Then, we model the interactive security-oriented routing strategy among meter data concentrators or smart grid meters as a mixed-strategy network formation game. Finally, such problem results in a stable probabilistic routing scheme with proposed distributed learning algorithm. One contributions is that we studied that different types of applications affect the routing selection strategy and the strategy tendency. Another contributions is that the chosen strategy of our mixed routing can adaptively to converge to a new mixed strategy Nash equilibrium (MSNE) during the learning process in the smart grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗