Enabling cyber‐physical communication in 5G cellular networks: challenges, spatial spectrum sensing, and cyber‐security

TLDR

Cyber‑physical systems enable new services through tight interactions, and 5G cellular networks will support CPS communication via device‑to‑device links amid a growing number of connected devices. The study examines the challenges cellular providers face when many CPS devices compete for spectrum and explores securing D2D links against eavesdropping. A case study demonstrates how D2D spatial spectrum sensing can ease spectrum access for CPS devices while addressing security concerns.

Abstract

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) help create new services and applications by revolutionising our world in different fields through their tight interactions and automated decisions. This is especially true with the ongoing increase in the number of physical things (sensors, actuators, smartphones, tablets, and so on) along with the explosive increase in the usage of online networking services and applications. Future fifth generation (5G) cellular networks will facilitate the enabling of CPS communications over current network infrastructure through different technologies such as device-to-device (D2D) communications. In this study, the authors discuss about the main challenges that cellular providers will face as the massive number of CPS devices attempt to access the cellular spectrum. A case study is presented on how to ease the spectrum access of these devices through D2D spatial spectrum sensing. Furthermore, the authors discuss about protecting these D2D links from eavesdropping, since security is becoming a critical aspect in the cyber-physical space, especially with the large amount of traffic that is constantly flowing through the network.