Interference is a fundamental problem in wireless networks. An effective solution to this problem usually calls for a cross-layer approach. Although there exist a large volume of works on interference management techniques in the literature, most of them are limited to signal processing at the physical (PHY) layer or information-theoretic exploitation. Studies of advanced interference techniques from a cross-layer optimization perspective remain limited, especially involving multi-hop wireless networks. This dissertation aims at filling this gap by offering a comprehensive investigation of three interference techniques: interference cancellation (IC), interference alignment (IA), and interference neutralization (IN). This dissertation consists of three parts: the first part studies IC in distributed multi-hop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) networks; the second part studies IA in multi-hop networks, cellular networks, and underwater acoustic (UWA) networks; and the third part focuses on IN in multi-hop single-antenna networks. While each part makes a step towards advancing an interference technique, they collectively constitute a body of work on interference management in the networking research community. Results in this dissertation not only advance network-level understanding of the three interference management techniques, but also offer insights and guidance on how these techniques may be incorporated in upper-layer protocol design. In the first part, we study IC in multi-hop MIMO networks where resource allocation is achieved through neighboring node coordination and local information exchange. Based on a well-established degree-of-freedom (DoF) MIMO model, we develop a distributed DoF scheduling algorithm with the objective of maximizing network-level throughput while guaranteeing solution feasibility at the PHY layer. The proposed algorithm accomplishes a number of beneficial features, including polynomial-time complexity, amenability to local implementation, a guarantee of feasibility at the PHY layer, and competitive throughput performance. Our results offer a definitive ``yes'' answer to the question --- Can the node-ordering DoF model be deployed in a distributed multi-hop MIMO network? In particular, we show that the essence of the DoF model --- a global node ordering, can be implicitly achieved via local operations, albeit it is invisible to individual node. In the second part, we investigate IA in various complex wireless networks from a networking perspective. Specifically, we study IA in three different domains: spatial domain, spectral domain, and temporal domain. In the spatial domain, we study IA for multi-hop MIMO networks. We derive a set of simple constraints to characterize the IA capability at the PHY layer. We prove that as long as the set of simple constraints are satisfied, there exists a feasible IA scheme (i.e., precoding and decoding vectors) at the PHY layer so that the data streams on each link can be transported free of interference. Therefore, instead of dealing with the complex design of precoding and decoding vectors, our IA constraints only require simple algebraic addition/subtraction operations. Such simplicity allows us to study network-level IA problems without being distracted by the tedious details in signal design at the PHY layer. Based on these IA constraints, we develop an optimization framework for unicast and multicast communications. In the spectral domain, we study IA in OFDM-based cellular networks. Different from spatial IA, spectral IA is achieved by mapping data streams onto a set of frequency bands/subcarriers (rather than a set of antenna elements). For the uplink, we derive a set of simple IA constraints to characterize a feasible DoF region for a cellular network. We show how to construct precoding and decoding vectors at the PHY layer so that each data stream can be transported free of interference. Based on the set of IA constraints, we study a user throughput maximization problem and show the throughput improvement over two other schemes via numerical results. For the downlink, we find that we can exploit the uplink IA constraints to the downlink case simply by reversing the roles of user and base station. Further, the downlink user throughput maximization problem has the exactly same formulation as the uplink problem and thus can be solved in the exactly same way. In the temporal domain, we study IA for UWA networks. A fundamental issue in UWA networks is large propagation delays due to slow signal speed in water medium. But temporal IA has the potential to turn the adverse effect of large propagation delays into something beneficial. We propose a temporal IA scheme based on propagation delays, nicknamed PD-IA, for multi-hop UWA networks. We first derive a set of PD-IA constraints to guarantee PD-IA feasibility at the PHY layer. Then we develop a distributed PD-IA scheduling algorithm, called Shark-IA, to maximally overlap interference in a multi-hop UWA network. We show that PD-IA can turn the adverse propagation delays to throughput improvement in multi-hop UWA networks. In the third part, we study IN for multi-hop single-antenna networks with full cooperation among the nodes. The fundamental problem here is node selection for IN in a multi-hop network environment. We first establish an IN reference model to characterize the IN capability at the PHY layer. Based on this reference model, we develop a set of constraints that can be used to quickly determine whether a subset of links can be active simultaneously. By identifying each eligible neutralization node as a neut, we study IN in a multi-hop network with a set of sessions and derive the necessary constraints to characterize neut selection, IN, and scheduling. These constraints allow us to study IN problems from a networking perspective but without the need of getting into signal design issues at the PHY layer. By applying our IN model and constraints to study a throughput maximization problem, we show that the use of IN can generally increase network throughput. In particular, throughput gain is most significant when there is a sufficient number of neuts that can be used for IN. In summary, this dissertation offers a comprehensive investigation of three interference management techniques (IC, IA, and IN) from a networking perspective. Theoretical and algorithmic contributions of this dissertation encompass characterization of interference exploitation capabilities at the PHY layer, derivation of tractable interference models, development of feasibility proof for each interference model, formulation of throughput maximization problems, design of distributed IC and PD-IA scheduling algorithms, and development of near-optimal solutions with a performance guarantee. The results in this dissertation offer network-level understanding of the three interference management techniques and lay the groundwork for future research on interference management in wireless networks. / Ph. D.

Within this thesis, we investigate the possibilities of physical layer secrecy for two special system models. In detail, we study beamforming and protection strategies in the Multiple-Input Single-Output (MISO) Gaussian Wiretap Channel (WTC) and the Gaussian two-hop relay WTC with multiple antennas at transmitter and receiver. In both system models, we examine the influence of partial Channel State Information (CSI) on the link to the eavesdropper and compare the achievable secrecy rates with the case of full CSI. We show for the MISO WTC that in the fast fading scenario the Beamforming Vector (BV) can be optimized such that the ergodic secrecy rate is maximized with regard to the degree of channel knowledge. Further we show that the ergodic secrecy rate can be significantly increased by usage of Artificial Noise (AN), if applied in a smart way. This means that the degree of channel knowledge on the link to the eavesdropper influences the portion of power that is spent for AN at the transmitter as well as the direction, in which the AN signal is sent. In addition, we apply the same beamforming and protection strategies to the slow fading scenario and find that these techniques also reduce the secrecy outage probability. For the two-hop relay WTC, we introduce Information Leakage Neutralization (IN) as a new protection strategy. If applied to a system model, where the transmitter has full CSI, the instantaneous secrecy rate performs almost as well as the instantaneous capacity of the peaceful system without an eavesdropper. The IN protected scheme outperforms the AN protected approach and performs much better than any beamforming scheme without additional protection mechanism. Another positive aspect of the IN protected scheme in the case of full CSI is that conventional channel codes can be applied instead of wiretap codes. For the case of partial CSI, where the transmitter has only an outdated estimate on the channel between relay and the eavesdropper, we show that the IN protected scheme can also be applied. Here, it strongly depends on the channel realizations and the delay of the estimate, whether the IN or the AN protection scheme should be applied. / In dieser Arbeit wird das Leistungsvermögen der Sicherheit auf der physikalischen Schicht anhand von zwei speziellen Systemmodellen untersucht. Im Detail werden Beamforming- und Absicherungsstrategien im gaußschen Multiple-Input Single-Output (MISO) Wiretap Channel (WTC) und dem gaußschen Two-hop Relay WTC mit mehreren Antennen am Sender und Empfänger studiert. In beiden Systemmodellen wird der Einfluss von partieller Kanalkenntnis zum Abhörer betrachtet und die so erreichbaren Sicherheitsraten mit denen verglichen, die bei voller Kanalkenntnis erreichbar sind. Für den MISO WTC kann gezeigt werden, dass für Kanäle mit schnellem Schwund der Beamforming-Vektor in Hinblick auf die ergodische Sicherheitsrate unter Berücksichtigung des Grades der Kanalkenntnis optimiert werden kann. Zudem kann durch die intelligente Verwendung von künstlichem Rauschen (Artificial Noise, AN) die ergodische Sicherheitsrate signifikant erhöht werden. Hierbei nimmt der Grad der Kanalkenntnis direkt Einfluss auf die Aufteilung der Leistung zwischen Daten- und AN-Signal am Sender sowie auch auf die Richtung, in der das AN-Signal gesendet wird. Zudem kann gezeigt werden, dass dieselben Beamforming- und Absicherungsstrategien ebenfalls die Sicherheitsausfallwahrscheinlichkeit für Kanäle mit langsamem Schwund minimieren. Im gaußschen Two-hop Relay WTC wird Information Leakage Neutralization (IN) als neuartige Absicherungsstrategie eingeführt. Diese Absicherungsstrategie erreicht nahezu dieselben instantanen Raten wie ein friedvolles System ohne Abhörer, wenn es bei voller Kanalkenntnis am Sender eingesetzt wird. Weiterhin sind durch die IN-Absicherungsstrategie höhere Raten erreichbar als durch den Einsatz von AN. Zusätzlich kann im Fall von voller Kanalkenntnis auf den Einsatz von Wiretap-Codes verzichtet werden. Auch im Fall partieller Kanalkenntnis, wo der Sender nur eine veraltete Schätzung des Kanals zwischen Relay und Abhörer besitzt, kann gezeigt werden, dass die IN-Absicherungsstrategie angewendet werden kann. Hierbei hängt es jedoch stark von den Kanalrealisierungen und dem Alter der Kanalschätzung ab, ob die IN- oder die AN-Absicherungsstrategie bessere Ergebnisse bringt und daher angewandt werden sollte.

Within this thesis, we investigate the possibilities of physical layer secrecy for two special system models. In detail, we study beamforming and protection strategies in the Multiple-Input Single-Output (MISO) Gaussian Wiretap Channel (WTC) and the Gaussian two-hop relay WTC with multiple antennas at transmitter and receiver. In both system models, we examine the influence of partial Channel State Information (CSI) on the link to the eavesdropper and compare the achievable secrecy rates with the case of full CSI. We show for the MISO WTC that in the fast fading scenario the Beamforming Vector (BV) can be optimized such that the ergodic secrecy rate is maximized with regard to the degree of channel knowledge. Further we show that the ergodic secrecy rate can be significantly increased by usage of Artificial Noise (AN), if applied in a smart way. This means that the degree of channel knowledge on the link to the eavesdropper influences the portion of power that is spent for AN at the transmitter as well as the direction, in which the AN signal is sent. In addition, we apply the same beamforming and protection strategies to the slow fading scenario and find that these techniques also reduce the secrecy outage probability. For the two-hop relay WTC, we introduce Information Leakage Neutralization (IN) as a new protection strategy. If applied to a system model, where the transmitter has full CSI, the instantaneous secrecy rate performs almost as well as the instantaneous capacity of the peaceful system without an eavesdropper. The IN protected scheme outperforms the AN protected approach and performs much better than any beamforming scheme without additional protection mechanism. Another positive aspect of the IN protected scheme in the case of full CSI is that conventional channel codes can be applied instead of wiretap codes. For the case of partial CSI, where the transmitter has only an outdated estimate on the channel between relay and the eavesdropper, we show that the IN protected scheme can also be applied. Here, it strongly depends on the channel realizations and the delay of the estimate, whether the IN or the AN protection scheme should be applied. / In dieser Arbeit wird das Leistungsvermögen der Sicherheit auf der physikalischen Schicht anhand von zwei speziellen Systemmodellen untersucht. Im Detail werden Beamforming- und Absicherungsstrategien im gaußschen Multiple-Input Single-Output (MISO) Wiretap Channel (WTC) und dem gaußschen Two-hop Relay WTC mit mehreren Antennen am Sender und Empfänger studiert. In beiden Systemmodellen wird der Einfluss von partieller Kanalkenntnis zum Abhörer betrachtet und die so erreichbaren Sicherheitsraten mit denen verglichen, die bei voller Kanalkenntnis erreichbar sind. Für den MISO WTC kann gezeigt werden, dass für Kanäle mit schnellem Schwund der Beamforming-Vektor in Hinblick auf die ergodische Sicherheitsrate unter Berücksichtigung des Grades der Kanalkenntnis optimiert werden kann. Zudem kann durch die intelligente Verwendung von künstlichem Rauschen (Artificial Noise, AN) die ergodische Sicherheitsrate signifikant erhöht werden. Hierbei nimmt der Grad der Kanalkenntnis direkt Einfluss auf die Aufteilung der Leistung zwischen Daten- und AN-Signal am Sender sowie auch auf die Richtung, in der das AN-Signal gesendet wird. Zudem kann gezeigt werden, dass dieselben Beamforming- und Absicherungsstrategien ebenfalls die Sicherheitsausfallwahrscheinlichkeit für Kanäle mit langsamem Schwund minimieren. Im gaußschen Two-hop Relay WTC wird Information Leakage Neutralization (IN) als neuartige Absicherungsstrategie eingeführt. Diese Absicherungsstrategie erreicht nahezu dieselben instantanen Raten wie ein friedvolles System ohne Abhörer, wenn es bei voller Kanalkenntnis am Sender eingesetzt wird. Weiterhin sind durch die IN-Absicherungsstrategie höhere Raten erreichbar als durch den Einsatz von AN. Zusätzlich kann im Fall von voller Kanalkenntnis auf den Einsatz von Wiretap-Codes verzichtet werden. Auch im Fall partieller Kanalkenntnis, wo der Sender nur eine veraltete Schätzung des Kanals zwischen Relay und Abhörer besitzt, kann gezeigt werden, dass die IN-Absicherungsstrategie angewendet werden kann. Hierbei hängt es jedoch stark von den Kanalrealisierungen und dem Alter der Kanalschätzung ab, ob die IN- oder die AN-Absicherungsstrategie bessere Ergebnisse bringt und daher angewandt werden sollte.

The number of secure data streams a relay-assisted interference channel can support has been an intriguing problem. The problem is not solved even for a fundamental scenario with a single antenna at each transmitter, receiver and relay. In this paper, we study the achievable secure degrees of freedom of instantaneous relay-assisted interference channels with real and complex coefficients. The study of secure degrees of freedom with complex coefficients is not a trivial multiuser extension of the scenarios with real channel coefficients as in the case for the degrees of freedom, due to secrecy constraints. We tackle this challenge by jointly designing the improper transmit signals and widely-linear relay processing strategies.

The number of secure data streams a relay-assisted interference channel can support has been an intriguing problem. The problem is not solved even for a fundamental scenario with a single antenna at each transmitter, receiver and relay. In this paper, we study the achievable secure degrees of freedom of instantaneous relay-assisted interference channels with real and complex coefficients. The study of secure degrees of freedom with complex coefficients is not a trivial multiuser extension of the scenarios with real channel coefficients as in the case for the degrees of freedom, due to secrecy constraints. We tackle this challenge by jointly designing the improper transmit signals and widely-linear relay processing strategies.

In heterogeneous dense networks where spectrum is shared, users privacy remains one of the major challenges. When the receivers are not only interested in their own signals but also in eavesdropping other users' signals, the cross talk becomes information leakage.We propose a novel and efficient secrecy rate enhancing relay strategy EFFIN for information leakage neutralization. The relay matrix is chosen such that the effective leakage channel (spectral and spatial) is zero. Thus, it ensures secrecy regardless of receive processing employed at eavesdroppers and does not rely on wiretaps codes to ensure secrecy, unlike other physical layer security techniques such as artificial noise. EFFIN achieves a higher sum secrecy rate over several state-of-the-art baseline methods.

In heterogeneous dense networks where spectrum is shared, users' privacy remains one of the major challenges. On a multi-antenna relay-assisted multi-carrier interference channel, each user shares the spectral and spatial resources with all other users. When the receivers are not only interested in their own signals but also in eavesdropping other users' signals, the cross talk on the spectral and spatial channels becomes information leakage. In this paper, we propose a novel secrecy rate enhancing relay strategy that utilizes both spectral and spatial resources, termed as information leakage neutralization. To this end, the relay matrix is chosen such that the effective channel from the transmitter to the colluding eavesdropper is equal to the negative of the effective channel over the relay to the colluding eavesdropper and thus the information leakage to zero. Interestingly, the optimal relay matrix in general is not block-diagonal which encourages users' encoding over the frequency channels. We proposed two information leakage neutralization strategies, namely efficient information leakage neutralization (EFFIN) and local-optimized information leakage neutralization (LOPTIN). EFFIN provides a simple and efficient design of relay processing matrix and precoding matrices at the transmitters in the scenario of limited power and computational resources. LOPTIN, despite its higher complexity, provides a better sum secrecy rate performance by optimizing the relay processing matrix and the precoding matrices jointly. The proposed methods are shown to improve the sum secrecy rates over several state-of-the-art baseline methods.

In heterogeneous dense networks where spectrum is shared, users privacy remains one of the major challenges. When the receivers are not only interested in their own signals but also in eavesdropping other users' signals, the cross talk becomes information leakage.We propose a novel and efficient secrecy rate enhancing relay strategy EFFIN for information leakage neutralization. The relay matrix is chosen such that the effective leakage channel (spectral and spatial) is zero. Thus, it ensures secrecy regardless of receive processing employed at eavesdroppers and does not rely on wiretaps codes to ensure secrecy, unlike other physical layer security techniques such as artificial noise. EFFIN achieves a higher sum secrecy rate over several state-of-the-art baseline methods.

In heterogeneous dense networks where spectrum is shared, users' privacy remains one of the major challenges. On a multi-antenna relay-assisted multi-carrier interference channel, each user shares the spectral and spatial resources with all other users. When the receivers are not only interested in their own signals but also in eavesdropping other users' signals, the cross talk on the spectral and spatial channels becomes information leakage. In this paper, we propose a novel secrecy rate enhancing relay strategy that utilizes both spectral and spatial resources, termed as information leakage neutralization. To this end, the relay matrix is chosen such that the effective channel from the transmitter to the colluding eavesdropper is equal to the negative of the effective channel over the relay to the colluding eavesdropper and thus the information leakage to zero. Interestingly, the optimal relay matrix in general is not block-diagonal which encourages users' encoding over the frequency channels. We proposed two information leakage neutralization strategies, namely efficient information leakage neutralization (EFFIN) and local-optimized information leakage neutralization (LOPTIN). EFFIN provides a simple and efficient design of relay processing matrix and precoding matrices at the transmitters in the scenario of limited power and computational resources. LOPTIN, despite its higher complexity, provides a better sum secrecy rate performance by optimizing the relay processing matrix and the precoding matrices jointly. The proposed methods are shown to improve the sum secrecy rates over several state-of-the-art baseline methods.