Authentication of Satellite Navigation Signals by Wiretap Coding and Artificial Noise

In order to combat the spoofing of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals we propose a novel approach for satellite signal authentication based on information-theoretic security. In particular we superimpose to the navigation signal an authentication signal containing a secret message corrupted by artificial noise (AN), still transmitted by the satellite. We impose the following properties: a) the authentication signal is synchronous with the navigation signal, b) the authentication signal is orthogonal to the navigation signal and c) the secret message is undecodable by the attacker due to the presence of the AN. The legitimate receiver synchronizes with the navigation signal and stores the samples of the authentication signal with the same synchronization. After the transmission of the authentication signal, through a separate public asynchronous authenticated channel (e.g., a secure Internet connection) additional information is made public allowing the receiver to a) decode the secret message, thus overcoming the effects of AN, and b) verify the secret message. We assess the performance of the proposed scheme by the analysis of both the secrecy capacity of the authentication message and the attack success probability, under various attack scenarios. A comparison with existing approaches shows the effectiveness of the proposed scheme

Sensitivity of Neutrino Mass Experiments to the Cosmic Neutrino Background

The KATRIN neutrino experiment is a next-generation tritium beta decay experiment aimed at measuring the mass of the electron neutrino to better than 200 meV at 90% C.L. Due to its intense tritium source, KATRIN can also serve as a possible target for the process of neutrino capture, {\nu}e +3H \to 3He+ + e-. The latter process, possessing no energy threshold, is sensitive to the Cosmic Neutrino Background (C{\nu}B). In this paper, we explore the potential sensitivity of the KATRIN experiment to the relic neutrino density. The KATRIN experiment is sensitive to a C{\nu}B over-density ratio of 2.0x 10^9 over standard concordance model predictions (at 90% C.L.), addressing the validity of certain speculative cosmological models

Relativistic Cyclotron Radiation Detection of Tritium Decay Electrons as a New Technique for Measuring the Neutrino Mass

The shape of the beta decay energy distribution is sensitive to the mass of the electron neutrino. Attempts to measure the endpoint shape of tritium decay have so far seen no distortion from the zero-mass form, thus placing an upper limit of m_nu_beta < 2.3 eV. Here we show that a new type of electron energy spectroscopy could improve future measurements of this spectrum and therefore of the neutrino mass. We propose to detect the coherent cyclotron radiation emitted by an energetic electron in a magnetic field. For mildly relativistic electrons, like those in tritium decay, the relativistic shift of the cyclotron frequency allows us to extract the electron energy from the emitted radiation. We present calculations for the energy resolution, noise limits, high-rate measurement capability, and systematic errors expected in such an experiment.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Direct neutrino mass measurements after PLANCK

AbstractThe absolute mass scale of neutrinos remains an open question subject to experimental investigation from both particle physics and cosmology. Over the next decade, a number of experiments from both disciplines will attempt to probe the mass scale further to the very limits of the predictions from oscillation results. This paper provides a broad overview of the experimental program in neutrino mass scale measurements, with a particular focus on direct experimental probes due to come online over the next decade

Authentication of GNSS signal by Information-theoretic security

In this work a new authentication protocol for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals is proposed. The protocol uses artificial noise to confuse the adversary and send an initially hidden verification message. Correctness is based on information-theoretic security and performances are evaluated in terms of secrecy capacityope

New approach to 3D electrostatic calculations for micro-pattern detectors

We demonstrate practically approximation-free electrostatic calculations of micromesh detectors that can be extended to any other type of micropattern detectors. Using newly developed Boundary Element Method called Robin Hood Method we can easily handle objects with huge number of boundary elements (hundreds of thousands) without any compromise in numerical accuracy. In this paper we show how such calculations can be applied to Micromegas detectors by comparing electron transparencies and gains for four different types of meshes. We demonstrate inclusion of dielectric material by calculating the electric field around different types of dielectric spacers

Annual Modulation of Cosmic Relic Neutrinos

The cosmic neutrino background (CvB), produced about one second after the Big Bang, permeates the Universe today. New technological advancements make neutrino capture on beta-decaying nuclei (NCB) a clear path forward towards the detection of the CvB. We show that gravitational focusing by the Sun causes the expected neutrino capture rate to modulate annually. The amplitude and phase of the modulation depend on the phase-space distribution of the local neutrino background, which is perturbed by structure formation. These results also apply to searches for sterile neutrinos at NCB experiments. Gravitational focusing is the only source of modulation for neutrino capture experiments, in contrast to dark-matter direct-detection searches where the Earth's time-dependent velocity relative to the Sun also plays a role.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure