6G • Security
Sub-THz Steganographic Covert Channels
Physical-Layer Covert Communication Embedded Below Thermal Noise Floor
Transmission technique hiding top-secret data packets underneath normal ambient thermal noise so adversaries cannot detect transmission.
Technical Explanation
In covert military, diplomatic, and intelligence operations, encrypting messages is not enough—adversaries must not even know a transmission is occurring (low probability of detection - LPD). The Sub-THz Steganographic Covert Channel spreads information symbols across massive multi-gigahertz bandwidths so that the power spectral density sits 10-15 dB below the ambient thermal noise floor. Only a receiver possessing the secret pseudo-random despreading key can extract the hidden signal.
Key Functions
- Hides wireless transmission power spectral density below the ambient noise floor
- Guarantees Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Intercept (LPI)
- Prevents hostile electronic surveillance from detecting secret transmissions
- Exploits multi-gigahertz sub-THz bandwidths to achieve positive processing gain
Specifications
IEEE Trans. Information Forensics and Security Covert Channels, MIL-STD-188
Interfaces
Covert Spread Spectrum ModulatorThermal Noise Canceller
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