Enhancing Data Transmission Security and Reliability of OFDM-IM for 5G Wireless Communication Systems

Thanks to its improved spectral efficiency and immunity to frequency selective fading, OFDM with index modulation (OFDM-IM) has become a perspective option. Unfortunately, OFDM-IM systems are vulnerable to security risks due to their inherent openness encountered in wireless communications. Conventional encryption techniques, which focus on the upper layers, add complexity and might not be enough to fend off malicious attacks. To improve the selection of subcarrier indexes and modulation of data symbol modulation, this work proposes a new chaotic encryption approach for OFDM-IM systems that uses Lorenz chaotic maps. Comprehensive simulations show that, in comparison to traditional methods, the proposed approach provides better security against eavesdropping while maintaining transmission reliability.