arXiv subjects

Nesrine Benchoubane

Publications and source records attributed to Nesrine Benchoubane.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Experimental Demonstration of a Real Time Wideband OFDM Generation in Sub-THz

Sub-terahertz (Sub-THz) wireless communications and their potential applications continue to attract significant attention and foster debate on the usage of their unused frequency bands to relieve existing spectrum congestion. However, for these next-generation networks, experimental research is limited by the lack of flexible, real-time testbeds. This study presents a real-time, multi-radio-frequency(RF) channel, cascaded software-defined radio (SDR)-based Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmission platform achieving an aggregate sampling rate of 2 x 3.84 GSPS and approximately 1.1 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth, targeting sub-THz and THz SDR testbeds. The digital transmitter architecture, including the OFDM signal processing chain and instrumentation workflow, is described in detail. A comparative case study between a conventional sub-6 GHz implementation and a 180 GHz configuration is conducted, evaluating phase noise, spectral occupancy, received average and peak power. The direct impact of sub-THz bandpass filtering, necessitated by harmonic-mixer-based upconversion, is also experimentally analyzed. Measurement results show conversion and filtering losses of up to 24.1 dB, while the system exhibits stationary phase noise levels on the order of -60 dBc/Hz, demonstrating the feasibility and limitations of real-time wideband OFDM transmission at 180 GHz. Beyond immediate current capabilities, the platform builds a foundation for the scalable integration of multiple transmitters and receivers, which is essential for the implementation, conformance, and testing of emerging sub-THz communication systems.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2025

Securing Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) Communications for Wildfire Management: Mitigating the Effects of Adversarial and Environmental Threats

In the face of adverse environmental conditions and cyber threats, robust communication systems for critical applications such as wildfire management and detection demand secure and resilient architectures. This paper presents a novel framework that considers both adversarial factors, building resilience into a heterogeneous network (HetNet) integrating Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation with High-Altitude Platform Ground Stations (HAPGS) and Low-Altitude Platforms (LAPS), tailored to support wildfire management operations. Building upon our previous work on secure-by-component approach for link segment security, we extend protection to the communication layer by securing both Radio Frequency (RF)/Free Space Optics (FSO) management and different links. Through a case study, we quantify how environmental stressors impact secrecy capacity and expose the system to passive adversaries. Key findings demonstrate that atmospheric attenuation and beam misalignment can notably degrade secrecy capacity across both short- and long-range communication links, while high-altitude eavesdroppers face less signal degradation, increasing their interception capability. Moreover, increasing transmit power to counter environmental losses can inadvertently improve eavesdropper reception, thereby reducing overall link confidentiality. Our work not only highlights the importance of protecting networks from these dual threats but also aligns with the IEEE P3536 Standard for Space System Cybersecurity Design, ensuring resilience and the prevention of mission failures.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2025

Open Sky, Open Threats: Replay Attacks in Space Launch and Re-entry Phases

This paper examines the effects of replay attacks on the integrity of both uplink and downlink communications during critical phases of spacecraft communication. By combining software-defined radios (SDRs) with a real-time channel emulator, we replicate realistic attack conditions on the Orion spacecraft's communication systems in both launch and reentry. Our evaluation shows that, under replay attacks, the attacker's signal can overpower legitimate transmissions, leading to a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) difference of up to -7.8 dB during reentry and -6.5 dB during launch. To mitigate these threats, we propose a more secure receiver design incorporating a phase-coherency-dependent decision-directed (DD) equalizer with a narrowed phase-locked loop (PLL) bandwidth. This configuration enhances resilience by making synchronization more sensitive to phase distortions caused by replay interference.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2025

Towards Resilient SDA: Graph Theory and Cooperative Control in Distributed Network Architectures

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) involves the detection, tracking, and characterization of space objects through the fusion of data across the space environment. As SDA advances beyond localized or operator-specific capabilities, there is a growing reliance on in-domain space assets for real-time, distributed sensing and decision-making. This paper investigates the potential of on-orbit collaboration by enabling data sharing among heterogeneous satellites as actuators within a single orbital regime. Using graph-theoretic constructs, we define regions of spatial responsibility via Voronoi tessellations and model communication pathways between actuators using Delaunay triangulation. We apply this framework independently to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and analyze each to quantify structural properties relevant to efficient communication, cooperative control, and synchronization for SDA operations with the growth in deployments of space assets.

math.CO↗

arXiv2025

Privacy-Preserving and Simultaneous Authentication in High-Density V2X Networks

The rapid expansion of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) networks within the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) demands secure and efficient authentication to support high-speed, high-density and mobility-challenged environments. This paper presents a privacy-preserving authentication scheme that incorporates batch authentication, mutual authentication, and secure key establishment, enabling users to authenticate one another without a central authority. Our proposed scheme facilitates simultaneous multi-user authentication, significantly enhancing scalability, robustness and security in dynamic IoV networks. Results from realistic implementations show that our method achieves average authentication and verification times of 10.61 ms and 1.78 ms, respectively, for a fleet of 100 vehicles, outperforming existing methods. Scalability tests demonstrate efficient processing for larger groups of up to 500 vehicles, where average authentication times remain low, establishing our scheme as a robust solution for secure communication in IoV systems.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2025

Next-Gen Space-Based Surveillance: Blockchain for Trusted and Efficient Debris Tracking

The increasing congestion of Earth's orbit due to growing satellite deployments and space debris poses a significant challenge to sustainable space operations. Traditional space surveillance systems rely on centralized architectures, which introduce single points of failure and scalability constraints. This paper proposes a blockchain-based solution where satellites function as nodes with distinct roles to validate and securely store debris-tracking data. Simulation results indicate that optimal network performance is achieved with approximately 30 nodes, balancing throughput and response time, representing an approximately 9x improvement over traditional consensus mechanisms.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Kise-Manitow's Hand in Space: Securing Communication and Connections in Space

The lunar Gateway is a complex system-of-systems (SoS) requiring secure, resilient integration of all its systems. This paper develops controls for its early systems to secure command and data handling (C&DH) and evaluates their effectiveness through a case study on collision impact propagation originating from Canadarm3. We demonstrate that a baseline security strategy with stringent, standardized controls reduces failure impact by up to 70%, underscoring the importance of consistent security integration across all systems.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2024

Securing Satellite Link Segment: A Secure-by-Component Design

The rapid evolution of communication technologies, compounded by recent geopolitical events such as the Viasat cyberattack in February 2022, has highlighted the urgent need for fast and reliable satellite missions for military and civil security operations. Consequently, this paper examines two Earth observation (EO) missions: one utilizing a single low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and another through a network of LEO satellites, employing a secure-by-component design strategy. This approach begins by defining the scope of technical security engineering, decomposing the system into components and data flows, and enumerating attack surfaces. Then it proceeds by identifying threats to low-level components, applying secure-by-design principles, redesigning components into secure blocks in alignment with the Space Attack Research & Tactic Analysis (SPARTA) framework, and crafting shall statements to refactor the system design, with a particular focus on improving the security of the link segment.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2024

On the Role of Communications for Space Domain Awareness

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) has become increasingly vital with the rapid growth of commercial space activities and the expansion of New Space. This paper stresses the necessity of transitioning from centralized to distributed SDA architectures. The current architecture predominantly relies on individual downhaul, which we propose to transition to on-orbit distribution. Our results demonstrate that the individual downhaul architecture does not scale efficiently with the increasing number of nodes, while on-orbit distribution offers significant improvements. By comparing the centralized architecture with the proposed distributed architecture, we highlight the advantages of enhanced coverage and resilience. Our findings show that on-orbit distribution greatly outperforms individual downhaul in terms of latency and scalability. Specifically, the latency results for on-orbit distribution are substantially lower and more consistent, even as the number of satellites increases. In addition, we address the inherent challenges associated with on-orbit distribution architecture, particularly cybersecurity concerns. We focus on link security to ensure the availability and integrity of data transmission in these advanced SDA systems. Future expectations include further refinement of on-orbit distribution strategies and the development of robust cybersecurity measures to support the scalability and resilience of SDA systems.

cs.ET↗