Multiple ECG Fiducial Points-Based Random Binary Sequence Generation for Securing Wireless Body Area Networks

Generating random binary sequences (BSes) is a fundamental requirement in cryptography. A BS is a sequence of $N$ bits, and each bit has a value of 0 or 1. For securing sensors within wireless body area networks (WBANs), electrocardiogram (ECG)-based BS generation methods have been widely investigated in which interpulse intervals (IPIs) from each heartbeat cycle are processed to produce BSes. Using these IPI-based methods to generate a 128-bit BS in real time normally takes around half a minute. In order to improve the time efficiency of such methods, this paper presents an ECG multiple fiducial-points based binary sequence generation (MFBSG) algorithm. The technique of discrete wavelet transforms is employed to detect arrival time of these fiducial points, such as P, Q, R, S, and T peaks. Time intervals between them, including RR, RQ, RS, RP, and RT intervals, are then calculated based on this arrival time, and are used as ECG features to generate random BSes with low latency. According to our analysis on real ECG data, these ECG feature values exhibit the property of randomness and, thus, can be utilized to generate random BSes. Compared with the schemes that solely rely on IPIs to generate BSes, this MFBSG algorithm uses five feature values from one heart beat cycle, and can be up to five times faster than the solely IPI-based methods. So, it achieves a design goal of low latency. According to our analysis, the complexity of the algorithm is comparable to that of fast Fourier transforms. These randomly generated ECG BSes can be used as security keys for encryption or authentication in a WBAN system.

Authors

• Guanglou Zheng
• Gengfa Fang
• Rajan Shankaran
• Mehmet A. Orgun
• Jie Zhou East China Normal University
• Li Qiao
• Kashif Saleem

Keywords

• Electrocardiography
• Wavelet transforms
• Algorithm design and analysis
• Feature extraction
• Wireless communication
• Body area networks
• Random Generation
• Bitstream
• Wireless Body Area Networks
• Random Binary Sequences
• Feature Values
• Wavelet
• Time Efficiency
• Low Latency
• Heart Beat
• Electrocardiogram Data
• Inter-pulse Interval
• Encryption Key
• Fiducial Points
• Random Properties
• Electrocardiogram Features
• Sequence Of Bits
• Adaptive Method
• Wireless Sensor
• RR Intervals
• Electrocardiogram Signals
• Pseudo-random Number Generator
• Secure Channel
• QRS Complex
• Wireless Sensor Nodes
• Normal Sinus Rhythm
• Zero-crossing Point
• Implantable Medical Devices
• Random Bits
• Electrocardiogram
• random binary sequence (BS)
• wavelet transforms (WT)
• wireless body area network
• Algorithms
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Wavelet Analysis
• Wireless Technology