Affiliation:
1. Institute of Telecommunications, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Abstract
A smart grid constitutes an electrical infrastructure that integrates communication technologies to optimize electricity production, distribution, and consumption. Within the smart grid, IEEE 802.11 networks play a crucial role in facilitating communication between smart meters and data collectors, operating within a shared transmission medium. However, a notable challenge arises due to the lack of certainty regarding the genuine identity of data recipients. In response, we present a solution—a novel covert channel leveraging the IEEE 802.11 backoff procedure—to transmit data that requires special protection. Implemented using the ns-3 simulator, our covert channel achieved a throughput of 140,000 bps when single covert station realized transmission in the wireless channel, and 880 bps in a populated environment characterized by high traffic volumes. This performance metric shows that our mechanism is better than other covert channels, where the performance in saturated conditions usually does not exceed several hundred bps. This covert channel represents a new approach to fortifying data integrity and privacy within smart grid communication.
Funder
National Research Institute
Subject
Energy (miscellaneous),Energy Engineering and Power Technology,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Control and Optimization,Engineering (miscellaneous),Building and Construction
Reference43 articles.
1. Borlase, S. (2017). Smart Grids: Infrastructure, Technology, and Solutions, CRC Press. Electric Power and Energy Engineering.
2. Smart Grid—The New and Improved Power Grid: A Survey;Fang;IEEE Commun. Surv. Tutorials,2012
3. (2003). IEC Standard for Communication Network and Systems in Substations, Part 1 Introduction and Overview (Standard No. IEC 61850-1).
4. (2021). IEEE Standard for Information Technology–Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks–Specific Requirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Redline (Standard No. IEEE 802.11).
5. NIST (2009). The Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Roadmap, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Technical Report.