Beamforming and Power Optimization for Physical Layer Security of MIMO-NOMA Based CRN Over Imperfect CSI

The physical layer security (PLS) has become crucial in the fifth generation (5G) wireless technology where non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA) plays an essential role for sharing the spectrum among multiple users. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-NOMA based cognitive radio network (CRN) enhances the spectral-efficiency at the cost of PLS. In this paper, a transmit-zero-forcing beamforming (ZFBF) technique with signal alignment is proposed to improve the PLS for MIMO-NOMA based CRN when perfect channel state information (CSI) is available at the base station (BS). In this study, a generalized cellular model with multi-cell is considered where each cluster is formed with a primary user (PU) and a secondary user (SU) to adopt the CRN. The locations of PU and SU are kept arbitrary within the cells. We also propose an eigen beamforming technique to improve the PLS for MIMO-NOMA based CRN when the imperfect CSI is available at the BS. For both beamforming techniques, optimum power allocation algorithms are developed for further enhancement of the PLS. Finally, a closed-form expression of the secrecy outage probability for the Nakagami-m fading channels is derived and compared with simulation results and other existing techniques.

Automated summary

Physical layer security (PLS) is crucial in 5G wireless technology, particularly in the context of non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA) for spectrum sharing among multiple users. This study proposes a transmit-zero-forcing beamforming (ZFBF) technique with signal alignment to enhance PLS for MIMO-NOMA based cognitive radio networks, when perfect channel state information (CSI) is available at the base station (BS). Additionally, an eigen beamforming technique is introduced to improve PLS in the presence of imperfect CSI, with both techniques utilizing power allocation algorithms for further enhancement.