Authentication Method for PLC Network

Authentication techniques in Power Line Communication (PLC) networks are vital to ensure secure communication, preventing unauthorized access and potential tampering with the data being transmitted. This chapter presents a novel technique based on multipath channel delays to offer Physical Layer Identification (PL ID) for PLC links. The method’s precision and efficiency are tested by measuring the Successful Path Detection Probability (SPDP) within a simulated environment, accounting for both perfect and imperfect channel state information scenarios. The findings show that for PLC noise power of around 90 dBuV, the achieved accuracy is approximately \(90\%\) . When the noise power drops below 80 dBuV, accuracy peaks at \(100\%\) . The proposed PL ID technique serves as an auxiliary layer of authentication within PLC networks by providing a unique fingerprint for each link.