A Comparison of RF-DNA Fingerprinting Using High/Low Value Receivers with ZigBee Devices

Abstract

The ZigBee specification provides a niche capability, extending the IEEE 802.15.4 standard to provide a wireless mesh network solution. ZigBee-based devices require minimal power and provide a relatively long-distance, inexpensive, and secure means of networking. The technology is heavily utilized, providing energy management, ICS automation, and remote monitoring of Critical Infrastructure (CI) operations; it also supports application in military and civilian health care sectors. ZigBee networks lack security below the Network layer of the OSI model, leaving them vulnerable to open-source hacking tools that allow malicous attacks such as MAC spoofing or Denial of Service (DOS). A method known as RF-DNA Fingerprinting provides an additional level of security at the Physical (PHY) level, where the transmitted waveform of a device is examined, rather than its bit-level credentials which can be easily manipulated. RF-DNA fingerprinting allows a unique human-like signature for a device to be obtained and a subsequent decision made whether to grant access or deny entry to a secure network. Two NI receivers were used here to simultaneously collect RF emissions from six Atmel AT86RF230 transceivers. The time-domain response of each device was used to extract features and generate unique RF-DNA fingerprints. These fingeprints were used to perform Device Classification using two discrimination processes known as MDA/ML and GRLVQI. Each process (classifier) was used to examine both the Full-Dimensional (FD) and reduced dimensional feature-sets for the high-value PXIe and low-value USRP receivers. The reduced feature-sets were determined using DRA for both quantitative and qualitative subsets. Additionally, each classifier performed Device Classification using a hybrid interleaved set of fingerprints from both receivers.