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    Associate Professor Shihao Yan.

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Associate Professor Shihao Yan

Associate Professor

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 2354
Email: s.yan@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4586-1926

Shihao is an Associate Professor in the School of Science.

Current Teaching

  • CSI6201 Networking Technologies

Background

Shihao Yan received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia, in 2015. He received the B.S. in Communication Engineering and the M.S. in Communication and Information Systems from Shandong University, Jinan, China, in 2009 and 2012, respectively. His research spans the broad areas of wireless communications and statistical signal processing for communication security and efficiency. He has led multi-disciplinary, grant-funded research programs, including an ARC Discovery Project and two Cyber Security CRC projects, and achieved over 170 peer-reviewed publications. He is currently leading the research on drone detection, satellite communications, radio frequency authentication and wireless communication security/covertness at ECU.

He is an Editorial Board Member for multiple journals, i.e., Drones, Scientific Reports and Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies, and a Committee Member of the IEEE Focus Group on Physical Layer Security. He served as the General Chair of Australian Communications Theory Workshop (AusCTW) and the Program Chair of IEEE International Workshop on Information Forensics and Security (IEEE WIFS) in 2025. He was also awarded the Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers in 2023 and Australia Endeavour Research Fellowship in 2017.

Professional Memberships

  • 2022- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE (Senior Member)
  • 2015- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE (Member)

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

  • Best Paper Award of IEEE International Conference on Computer and Communications (ICCC) 2023
  • Finalist of AISA Cyber Security Researcher of the Year 2023
  • 2021 - UNSW Faculty of Engineering Goldstar Awards

National and International Research Positions

  • 2018-Macquarie University Research Fellowship
  • 2017- Endeavour Fellowship

Research Areas and Interests

  • Covert Wireless Communication
  • Physical Layer Security
  • Intelligent Reflection Surface (IRS)-Aided Wireless Communications
  • Covertness and Security in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) networks
  • Federated Machine Learning Aided Wireless Communication
  • Covertness and Security in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) networks

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of New South Wales, 2015.

Research Outputs

2025

Journal Articles

  • Zhang, D., Zhang, J., Yuan, Q., Sun, J., Yan, S. (2025). Two-Phase Covert Communication with A Wireless-Powered Jammer by RIS. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025(Article in press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2025.3562850.
  • Yu, J., Cai, Y., Yan, S., Li, Y., Wang, J., Liu, J., An, J. (2025). Joint 3D Beamforming-and-Trajectory Design for UAV-Satellite Uplink Covert Communication. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 73(5), 3469-3481. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2024.3480979.
  • Sun, L., Chen, Z., Huang, T., Shu, F., Yan, S. (2025). Near-Field Communication With Random Frequency Diverse Array. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 14(1), 213-217. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2024.3495653.
  • Qian, B., Yan, S., Wu, Q., Shu, F., Li, Z. (2025). Two-Stage Framework for Sensing Assisted Covert Communications. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 74(6), 9858-9863. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2025.3531877.
  • Chen, P., Yan, S., Janicke, H., Mahboubi, A., Bui, HT., Aboutorab, H., Bewong, M., Islam, R. (2025). A Survey on Unauthorized UAV Threats to Smart Farming. Drones, 9(4), article number 251. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9040251.
  • Zhou, X., Zhou, X., Yan, S., Xia, G., Shu, F. (2025). Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Aided Covert Wireless Communications With Finite-Alphabet Inputs. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 74(4), 6709-6714. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2024.3508819.
  • Yu, X., Shen, K., Rui, Y., Yan, S., Jia, G., Guizani, M. (2025). Covert Performance of NOMA System with Hardware Impairments in Nakagami Fading Channel. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 24(4), 3499-3514. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2025.3531642.
  • Feng, Y., Xu, L., Li, Q., Yan, S., Wang, H., Ng, DW. (2025). Transmit Rate Enhancement for STAR-RIS-Assisted Uplink NOMA. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 74(5), 7651-7665. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2024.3524744.
  • Yu, X., Kong, F., Yan, S. (2025). Performance Analysis of STAR-RIS-Aided RSMA System With Hardware Impairment. IEEE Communications Letters, 29(7), 1554-1558. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2025.3567747.
  • Zhang, W., Liang, X., Deng, Q., Shu, F., Zhang, Z., Nie, L., Yan, S. (2025). Joint Trajectory and Beamforming Optimization for IRS-Assisted Multi-Antenna UAV Covert Communications With A Finite Blocklength. IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, 2025(Article in press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGCN.2025.3585891.
  • Kong, Z., Gan, L., Song, J., Huang, T., Yin, W., Yan, S., Yuan, J. (2025). Robust Outage-Constrained Secrecy Rate of Hybrid Power Line and Wireless Communication with Artificial Noise-Aided Beamforming for Smart Grid. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 73(6), 3940-3955. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2024.3502678.

2024

Journal Articles

  • Chen, X., Gao, F., Qiu, M., Zhang, J., Shu, F., Yan, S. (2024). Achieving Covert Communication With a Probabilistic Jamming Strategy. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 19(2024), 5561-5574. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2024.3402346.
  • Gao, B., Zhao, J., Yan, S., Xiao, S. (2024). Secrecy Rate Maximization for Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Assisted MIMO Systems. IEEE Access, 12(2024), 87097-87109. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3416553.
  • Wang, X., Shu, F., Wu, Y., Shi, W., Yan, S., Zhao, Y., Cheng, Q., Sun, Z., Wang, J. (2024). Beamforming Design For Irs-And-Uav-Aided Two-Way Amplify-And-Forward Relay Networks In Maritime Iot. China Communications, 21(8), 45-61. https://doi.org/10.23919/JCC.fa.2023-0673.202408.
  • Li, D., Yan, S., Zhang, J., Sun, J., Shu, F. (2024). Optimal Pilot Length for Key Generation in Correlated Wireless Channels. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 13(10), 2767-2771. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2024.3444821.
  • Chen, Z., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Ng, D. (2024). Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Assisted Passive Covert Wireless Detection. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 73(2), 2954-2959. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2023.3320089.
  • Kong, Z., Cui, J., Ding, L., Huang, T., Yan, S. (2024). Jamming precoding in AF relay-aided PLC systems with multiple eavessdroppers. Scientific Reports, 14(1), article number 8335. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58735-y.
  • Bui, HT., Aboutorab, H., Mahboubi, A., Gao, Y., Sultan, NH., Chauhan, A., Parvez, MZ., Bewong, M., Islam, R., Islam, Z., Camtepe, SA., Gauravaram, P., Singh, D., Ali Babar, M., Yan, S. (2024). Agriculture 4.0 and beyond: Evaluating cyber threat intelligence sources and techniques in smart farming ecosystems. Computers & Security, 140(2024), article number 103754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2024.103754.
  • Li, L., Chen, Z., Chen, R., Yang, L., Yan, S. (2024). Covert Wireless Communication with Random Frequency Diverse Array. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 73(1), 1473-1478. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2023.3310986.

Conference Publications

  • Chen, Z., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Sun, J., Ng, DW. (2024). IRS-Assisted Covert Communication with a BPP Distributed Warden outside a Safety Zone. ICASSP, IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing - Proceedings (12831-12835). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICASSP48485.2024.10447139.
  • Griffiths, T., Ahmed, M., Yan, S. (2024). WIP: Performance Metrics of PUF-based Authentication Protocols for Smart Grid: A Review. 2024 IEEE 25th International Symposium on a World of Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks (WoWMoM) (4 pages). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/WoWMoM60985.2024.00012.
  • Peng, J., Hu, X., Yan, S., Liu, C., Yan, R. (2024). Lightweight Detection of UAV Communication Activity with A Finite Blocklength. International Conference on Ubiquitous Communication 2024, Ucom 2024 (42-46). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/Ucom62433.2024.10695868.
  • Chen, X., Gao, F., Qiu, M., Zhang, J., Yan, S., Shu, F. (2024). Achieving Covert Communication With A Probabilistic Friendly Jammer. Proceedings - IEEE Global Communications Conference, GLOBECOM (1072-1077). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM54140.2023.10437099.
  • Rao, H., Yan, S., Wang, J., Peng, X., Xiao, S., Tang, W. (2024). Multi-Antenna Covert Communications with a BPP Field of Wardens. International Conference on Ubiquitous Communication 2024, Ucom 2024 (91-96). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/Ucom62433.2024.10695909.
  • Ren, P., Zhang, J., Yan, S., Xu, W., Sun, J., Al-Dhahir, N. (2024). Covert Communications Assisted by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces with Discrete Phase Shifts. Proceedings - IEEE Global Communications Conference, GLOBECOM (4859-4864). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM54140.2023.10437108.
  • Lu, X., Yan, S., Huang, Y., Zhang, Y., Ahmed, M. (2024). Channel Truncation Inspired Short-Packet Covert Communication with Poisson Packet Generation. 2023 International Conference on Wireless Communications and Signal Processing (WCSP) (737-742). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/WCSP58612.2023.10405142.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Ge, J., Wang, Y., Hu, X., Huang, Y., Yan, S. (2023). Towards Covert Communications via A Wireless-Powered Jammer Fueled by A Receiver. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 2023(2023), 1-1. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2023.3339677.
  • Hu, J., Lin, Q., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Chen, Y., Shu, F. (2023). Covert Transmission via Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2023(2023), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2023.3326455.
  • Liu, X., Song, Y., Chen, K., Yan, S., Chen, S., Shi, B. (2023). Modulation Recognition of Low-SNR UAV Radar Signals Based on Bispectral Slices and GA-BP Neural Network. Drones, 7(7), article number 472. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7070472.
  • Lin, Y., Shu, F., Zheng, Y., Liu, J., Dong, R., Chen, X., Wu, Y., Yan, S., Wang, J. (2023). Two Low-Complexity Efficient Beamformers for an IRS- and UAV-Aided Directional Modulation Network. Drones, 7(8), article number 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7080489.
  • Shi, B., Li, Y., Wu, G., Chen, R., Yan, S., Shu, F. (2023). Low-Complexity Three-Dimensional Aoa-Cross Geometric Center Localization Methods Via Multi-Uav Network. Drones, 7(5), article number 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7050318.
  • Shi, B., Zhang, Q., Dong, R., Jie, Q., Yan, S., Shu, F., Wang, J. (2023). DOA Estimation for Hybrid Massive MIMO Systems Using Mixed-ADCs: Performance Loss and Energy Efficiency. IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, 4(2023), 1383-1395. https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2023.3290075.
  • Xu, X., Hu, L., Wei, S., Qian, Y., Yan, S., Shu, F., Li, J. (2023). On IRS-Assisted Covert Communication with a Friendly UAV. Drones, 7(7), article number 453. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7070453.
  • Lu, X., Huang, Y., Yan, S., Yang, W., Haskell-Dowland, P. (2023). Energy-Efficient Covert Wireless Communication Through Probabilistic Jamming. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 12(5), 932-936. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2023.3253075.
  • Dong, R., He, H., Shu, F., Zhang, Q., Chen, R., Yan, S., Wang, J. (2023). Joint Beamforming And Phase Shift Design For Hybrid Irs And Uav-Aided Directional Modulation Networks. Drones, 7(6), article number 364. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7060364.
  • Ding, Y., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Feng, S. (2023). Radar-Communication Waveform Design with Detection Probability Constraints. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 12(1), 168-172. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2022.3219835.
  • Shi, B., Wang, Y., Li, D., Cai, W., Lin, J., Zhang, S., Shi, W., Yan, S., Shu, F. (2023). Star-Ris-Uav-Aided Coordinated Multipoint Cellular System For Multi-User Networks. Drones, 7(6), article number 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7060403.
  • Li, Y., Shu, F., Hu, J., Yan, S., Song, H., Zhu, W., Tian, D., Song, Y., Wang, J. (2023). Machine Learning Methods For Inferring The Number Of Uav Emitters Via Massive Mimo Receive Array. Drones, 7(4), article number 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7040256.
  • Lu, X., Yan, S., Yang, W., Liu, C., Ng, D. (2023). Short-Packet Covert Communication in Interweave Cognitive Radio Networks. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 72(2), 2649-2654. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2022.3210991.
  • Chen, Y., Jie, Q., Zhang, Y., Shu, F., Zhan, X., Yan, S., Cai, W., Wang, X., Sun, Z., Zhang, P., Chen, P. (2023). Two Rapid Power Iterative Doa Estimators For Uav Emitter Using Massive/Ultra-Massive Receive Array. Drones, 7(6), article number 361. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones7060361.
  • Lu, X., Yan, S., Yang, W., Li, M., Ng, D. (2023). Covert Communication with Time Uncertainty in Time-Critical Wireless Networks. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 22(2), 1116-1129. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2022.3201872.
  • Hu, J., Guo, M., Yan, S., Chen, Y., Zhou, X., Chen, Z. (2023). Deep Reinforcement Learning Enabled Covert Transmission with UAV. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 12(5), 917-921. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2023.3251357.

Conference Publications

  • Zhang, Q., Yan, S., Shu, F., Cong, Y., Kwan Ng, DW. (2023). Signalling for Covert Passive Sensing. IEEE International Conference on Communications (3902-3907). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC45041.2023.10279567.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Li, R., Cui, J., Huang, T., Yang, L., Yan, S. (2022). Optimal Pulse-Position Modulation Order and Transmit Power in Covert Communications. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 71(5), 5570-5575. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2022.3151197.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Yang, N., Yang, Z., Yuan, J. (2022). Safeguarding Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access with Physical Layer Techniques. IEEE Network: the magazine of global information exchange, 36(3), 145-151. https://doi.org/10.1109/MNET.014.2100091.
  • Lu, X., Yang, W., Yan, S., Tao, L., Ng, D. (2022). Joint Packet Generation and Covert Communication in Delay-Intolerant Status Update Systems. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 71(2), 2170-2175. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2021.3134795.
  • Yan, S., Ihsan, U., Malaney, R., Sun, L., Tomasin, S. (2022). Location Verification for Future Wireless Vehicular Networks: Research Directions and Challenges. IEEE Network: the magazine of global information exchange, 36(6), 60-66. https://doi.org/10.1109/MNET.103.2100338.
  • Rao, H., Xiao, S., Yan, S., Wang, J., Tang, W. (2022). Optimal Geometric Solutions to UAV-Enabled Covert Communications in Line-of-Sight Scenarios. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 21(12), 10633-10647. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2022.3185492.
  • Gao, M., Shen, R., Li, J., Yan, S., Li, Y., Shi, J., Han, Z., Zhuo, L. (2022). Computation Offloading with Instantaneous Load Billing for Mobile Edge Computing. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing, 15(3), 1473-1485. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSC.2020.2996764.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Wu, Q., Shu, F., Ng, D. (2022). Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS)-Aided Covert Wireless Communications with Delay Constraint. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 21(1), 532-547. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2021.3098099.
  • Wang, Y., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Huang, Y., Ng, D. (2022). Covert Communication With Energy Replenishment Constraints in UAV Networks. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 71(9), 10143-10148. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2022.3178021.
  • Wang, Y., Yan, S., Yang, W., Zhong, C., Ng, D. (2022). Probabilistic Accumulate-then-Transmit in Wireless-Powered Covert Communications. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 21(12), 10393-10406. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2022.3183892.
  • Cai, T., Zhang, J., Yan, S., Meng, L., Sun, J., Al-Dhahir, N. (2022). Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Aided Non-Orthogonal Unicast-Multicast Secure Transmission. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 11(3), 578-582. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2021.3136897.
  • Lu, X., Yang, W., Yan, S., Li, Z., Ng, D. (2022). Covertness and Timeliness of Data Collection in UAV-Aided Wireless-Powered IoT. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 9(14), 12573-12587. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2021.3137846.
  • Li, C., Yan, S., Yang, N., Zhou, X. (2022). Truncated Channel Inversion Power Control to Enable One-Way URLLC With Imperfect Channel Reciprocity. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 70(4), 2313-2327. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2022.3151763.

Conference Publications

  • Wang, Y., Yan, S., Zhong, C., Ng, D. (2022). Probabilistic Accumulate-then-Transmit in Covert Communications with Energy Harvesting. ICC 2022 - IEEE International Conference on Communications (685-691). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC45855.2022.9838774.
  • Rao, H., Xiao, S., Yan, S., Wang, J., Tang, W. (2022). UAV-Enabled Cooperative Jamming for Covert Communications based on Geometric Method. 2022 IEEE 95th Vehicular Technology Conference: (VTC2022-Spring) (1-6). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/VTC2022-Spring54318.2022.9860462.
  • Lu, X., Yang, W., Yan, S. (2022). Short-Packet Covert Communication with Transmission Time Uncertainty. 2022 7th International Conference on Computer and Communication Systems (ICCCS) (628-632). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCCS55155.2022.9846514.
  • Yu, X., Yan, S., Hu, J., Haskell-Dowland, P., Han, Y., Ng, D. (2022). On Relaying Strategies in Multi-Hop Covert Wireless Communications. ICC 2022 - IEEE International Conference on Communications (666-672). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC45855.2022.9838514.

2021

Book Chapters

  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Shu, F., Ng, D. (2021). Secure Transmission with Directional Modulation Based on Random Frequency Diverse Arrays. Physical Layer Security (29-50). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55366-1_2.

Journal Articles

  • Wu, C., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Chen, R., Sun, J. (2021). Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS)-Aided Covert Communication with Warden's Statistical CSI. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 10(7), 1449-1453. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2021.3069778.
  • Zhang, J., Li, M., Yan, S., Liu, C., Chen, X., Zhao, M., Whiting, P. (2021). Joint Beam Training and Data Transmission Design for Covert Millimeter-Wave Communication. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 16(2021), 2232-2245. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2021.3050070.
  • Yan, S., Hanly, S., Collings, I. (2021). Optimal Transmit Power and Flying Location for UAV Covert Wireless Communications. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 39(11), 3321-3333. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2021.3088667.
  • Yang, W., Lu, X., Yan, S., Shu, F., Li, Z. (2021). Age of Information for Short-Packet Covert Communication. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 10(9), 1890-1894. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2021.3085025.
  • Wang, S., Yan, S., Zhang, J., Yang, N., Chen, R., Shu, F. (2021). Secrecy Zone Achieved by Directional Modulation with Random Frequency Diverse Array. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 70(2), 2001-2006. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2021.3054803.
  • Wang, Y., Yan, S., Yang, W., Cai, Y. (2021). Covert Communications with Constrained Age of Information. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 10(2), 368-372. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2020.3031492.
  • Wang, Y., Yan, S., Yang, W., Huang, Y., Liu, C. (2021). Energy-Efficient Covert Communications for Bistatic Backscatter Systems. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 70(3), 2906-2911. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2021.3061661.
  • Gao, M., Shen, R., Yan, S., Li, J., Guan, H., Li, Y., Shi, J., Han, Z. (2021). Heterogeneous Computational Resource Allocation for C-RAN: A Contract-Theoretic Approach. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing, 14(6), 2026-2040. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSC.2019.2911509.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Ng, D., Schober, R. (2021). Three-Dimensional Placement and Transmit Power Design for UAV Covert Communications. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 70(12), 13424-13429. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2021.3121298.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Shu, F., Chen, R., Li, J. (2021). UAV-Enabled Covert Wireless Data Collection. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 39(11), 3348-3362. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2021.3088688.

Conference Publications

  • Ihsan, U., Malaney, R., Yan, S. (2021). Neural Network Architectures for Location Estimation in the Internet of Things. IEEE International Conference on Communications (1-6 pp). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC42927.2021.9500284.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Wu, Q., Shu, F., Kwan Ng, D. (2021). Joint Transmit Power and Reflection Beamforming Design for IRS-Aided Covert Communications. 2021 IEEE Global Communications Conference, GLOBECOM 2021 - Proceedings (p.1-6). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM46510.2021.9685483.
  • Cai, T., Zhang, J., Yan, S., Meng, L., Sun, J., Al-Dhahir, N. (2021). Resource Allocation for Secure Rate-Splitting Multiple Access with Adaptive Beamforming. ICC 2021-IEEE International Conference on Communications - Proceedings (Article number 9473880). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCWorkshops50388.2021.9473880.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Tao, L., Yang, W., Yan, S., Wu, D., Guan, X., Chen, D. (2020). Covert Communication in Downlink NOMA Systems with Random Transmit Power. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 9(11), 2000-2004. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2020.3011191.
  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Wang, J. (2020). Covert Communications without Channel State Information at Receiver in IoT systems. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 7(11), 11103-11114. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2020.2994441.
  • Akbar, N., Yan, S., Khattak, A., Yang, N. (2020). On the Pilot Contamination Attack in Multi-Cell Multiuser Massive MIMO Networks. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 68(4), 2264-2276. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2020.2967760.
  • Sun, L., Xu, T., Yan, S., Hu, J., Yu, X., Shu, F. (2020). On Resource Allocation in Covert Wireless Communication with Channel Estimation. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 68(10), 6456-6469. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2020.3009651.
  • Lu, H., Guo, C., Hu, Y., Zhou, W., Yan, S. (2020). Improved Distributed Event-Triggered Control for Networked Control System under Random Cyberattacks via Bessel-Legendre Inequalities. Complexity, 2020(2020), Article number 1583286. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1583286.

Conference Publications

  • Sun, L., Yan, S., Chen, R., Shu, F. (2020). On Likelihood Functions to Minimize KL Divergence in Binary Hypothesis Testing. 2020 14th International Conference on Signal Processing and Communication Systems, ICSPCS - Proceedings (Article number 9310022). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSPCS50536.2020.9310022.
  • Jabbar, W., Malaney, R., Yan, S. (2020). Location information verification in future vehicular networks. 2020 IEEE 3rd Connected and Automated Vehicles Symposium, CAVS 2020 - Proceedings (Article number 9334684). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CAVS51000.2020.9334684.
  • Jabbar, W., Malaney, R., Yan, S. (2020). A Location Verification Based Hybrid Routing Protocol for VANETs. IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (article number 9348436). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/VTC2020-Fall49728.2020.9348436.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Yan, S., Zhou, X., Hu, J., Hanly, S. (2019). Low probability of detection communication: Opportunities and challenges. IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, 26(5), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.001.1900057.
  • Ihsan, U., Yan, S., Malaney, R. (2019). Location Verification for Emerging Wireless Vehicular Networks. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 6(6), 10261-10272. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2019.2937315.
  • Yan, S., He, B., Zhou, X., Cong, Y., Swindlehurst, A. (2019). Delay-intolerant covert communications with either fixed or random transmit power. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 14(1), 129-140. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2018.2846257.
  • Shu, F., Xu, T., Hu, J., Yan, S. (2019). Delay-Constrained Covert Communications with a Full-Duplex Receiver. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, 8(3), 813-816. https://doi.org/10.1109/LWC.2019.2894617.
  • Yan, S., Cong, Y., Hanly, S., Zhou, X. (2019). Gaussian signalling for covert communications. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 18(7), 3542-3553. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2019.2915305.
  • Li, C., Yang, N., Yan, S. (2019). Optimal Transmission of Short-Packet Communications in Multiple-Input Single-Output Systems. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(7), 7199-7203. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2019.2917080.
  • Zhou, X., Wu, Q., Yan, S., Shu, F., Li, J. (2019). UAV-Enabled Secure Communications: Joint Trajectory and Transmit Power Optimization. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(4), 4069-4073. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2019.2900157.
  • Chen, R., Li, C., Yan, S., Malaney, R., Yuan, J. (2019). Physical layer security for ultra-reliable and low-latency communications. IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, 26(5), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.001.1900051.
  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Li, J. (2019). Covert Wireless Communications with Channel Inversion Power Control in Rayleigh Fading. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(12), 12135-12149. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2019.2949304.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Wu, Q., Lin, J., Shu, F. (2019). Robust Beamforming Design for Secure DM-Based Relay Networks with Self-Sustained Jammers. IEEE Access, 7(2019), 969-983. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2886079.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Liu, C., Yang, Z., Yang, N. (2019). Two-Stage Relay Selection for Enhancing Physical Layer Security in Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 14(6), 1670-1683. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2018.2883273.
  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Shu, F., Wang, J. (2019). Covert transmission with a self-sustained relay. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 18(8), 4089-4102. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2019.2920961.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Yang, Z., Yang, N., Yuan, J. (2019). Beamforming Design and Power Allocation for Secure Transmission with NOMA. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 18(5), 2639-2651. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2019.2906202.
  • Shahzad, K., Zhou, X., Yan, S. (2019). Covert Wireless Communication in Presence of a Multi-Antenna Adversary and Delay Constraints. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(12), 12432-12436. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2019.2948608.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Hu, J., Sun, J., Li, J., Shu, F. (2019). Joint Optimization of a UAV's Trajectory and Transmit Power for Covert Communications. IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, 67(16), 4276-4290. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSP.2019.2928949.

Conference Publications

  • Yan, S., Cong, Y., Hanly, S., Zhou, X. (2019). Is Gaussian Signalling Optimal for Covert Communications?. IEEE International Conference on Communications 2019 proceedings (Article number 8761750). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2019.8761750.
  • Yan, S., Hanly, S., Collings, I., Goeckel, D. (2019). Hiding Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Wireless Transmissions by Covert Communications. IEEE International Conference on Communications 2019 proceedings (Article number 8761271). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2019.8761271.
  • Yan, S., Malaney, R., Yuan, J. (2019). Generalized and Differential Likelihood Ratio Tests with Quantum Signal Processing. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing Proceedings (7998-8002). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICASSP.2019.8683452.
  • Zhou, X., Yan, S., Shu, F., Chen, R., Li, J. (2019). Covert wireless data collection based on unmanned aerial vehicles. 2019 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps) Proceedings (Article number 9024706). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GCWkshps45667.2019.9024706.
  • Ihsan, U., Wang, Z., Malaney, R., Dempster, A., Yan, S. (2019). Artificial intelligence and location verification in vehicular networks. Proceedings of 2019 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) (Article number 9014171). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE). https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM38437.2019.9014171.
  • Ihsan, U., Malaney, R., Yan, S. (2019). Machine learning and location verification in vehicular networks. IEEE International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC) 2019 proceedings (91-95). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCChina.2019.8855920.
  • Li, C., Yan, S., Yang, N., Zhou, X., Chen, R. (2019). One-way URLLC with truncated channel inversion power control. 2019 IEEE Globecom Workshops (Gc Workshops) Proceedings (Article number 9024470). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GCWkshps45667.2019.9024470.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Li, J., Wang, J. (2018). Covert communication achieved by a greedy relay in wireless networks. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 17(7), 4766-4779. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2018.2831217.
  • Yan, S., Zhou, X., Yang, N., Abhayapala, T., Swindlehurst, A. (2018). Secret Channel Training to Enhance Physical Layer Security with a Full-Duplex Receiver. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 13(11), 2788-2800. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2018.2834301.
  • Shahzad, K., Zhou, X., Yan, S., Hu, J., Shu, F., Li, J. (2018). Achieving Covert Wireless Communications Using a Full-Duplex Receiver. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 17(12), 8517-8530. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2018.2878014.
  • Zhang, Y., Yang, Z., Feng, Y., Yan, S. (2018). Performance Analysis of Cooperative Relaying Systems with Power-Domain Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access. IEEE Access, 6(2018), 39839-39848. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2854774.
  • Zhang, Y., Yang, Z., Feng, Y., Yan, S. (2018). Performance analysis of a novel uplink cooperative NOMA system with full-duplex relaying. IET Communications, 12(19), 2408-2417. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-com.2018.5500.
  • Akbar, N., Yan, S., Yang, N., Yuan, J. (2018). Location-Aware Pilot Allocation in Multicell Multiuser Massive MIMO Networks. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 67(8), 7774-7778. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2018.2831224.
  • Yan, S., Peters, G., Nevat, I., Malaney, R. (2018). Location verification systems based on received signal strength with unknown transmit power. IEEE Communications Letters, 22(3), 650-653. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2017.2787129.
  • Sun, X., Yang, N., Yan, S., Ding, Z., Ng, D., Shen, C., Zhong, Z. (2018). Joint beamforming and power allocation in downlink NOMA multiuser MIMO networks. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 17(8), 5367-5381. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2018.2842725.
  • Liu, T., Li, J., Shu, F., Guan, H., Yan, S., Jayakody, D. (2018). On the Incentive Mechanisms for Commercial Edge Caching in 5G Wireless Networks. IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, 25(3), 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.2018.1700314.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Yang, Z., Yang, N., Yuan, J. (2018). User and relay selection with artificial noise to enhance physical layer security. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 67(11), 10906-10920. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2018.2870280.
  • Yan, S., Yang, N., Land, I., Malaney, R., Yuan, J. (2018). Three Artificial-Noise-Aided Secure Transmission Schemes in Wiretap Channels. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 67(4), 3669-3673. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2017.2779508.
  • Sun, X., Yan, S., Yang, N., Ding, Z., Shen, C., Zhong, Z. (2018). Short-packet downlink transmission with non-orthogonal multiple access. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 17(7), 4550-4564. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2018.2827368.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Yang, Z. (2018). Secure Transmission to the Strong User in Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access. IEEE Communications Letters, 22(12), 2623-2626. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2018.2877320.
  • He, B., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Jafarkhani, H. (2018). Covert wireless communication with a poisson field of interferers. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 17(9), 6005-6017. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2018.2854540.

Conference Publications

  • Sun, X., Yan, S., Yang, N., Ding, Z., Shen, C., Zhong, Z. (2018). Downlink NOMA transmission for low-latency short-packet communications. IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops, ICC Workshops 2018 - Proceedings (1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCW.2018.8403608.
  • Li, C., Yan, S., Yang, N. (2018). On channel reciprocity to activate uplink channel training for downlink wireless transmission in tactile internet applications. IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops, ICC Workshops 2018 - Proceedings (1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCW.2018.8403490.
  • Akbar, N., Yan, S. (2018). Active attack on user load achieving pilot design in massive MIMO networks. 2017 IEEE Globecom Workshops, GC Wkshps 2017 - Proceedings (1-6). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOMW.2017.8269223.
  • Xu, S., Yang, N., Yan, S. (2018). Impact of load balancing on rate coverage performance in millimeter wave cellular heterogeneous networks. IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops, ICC Workshops 2018 - Proceedings (1-6). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCW.2018.8403596.
  • Hu, J., Shahzad, K., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Li, J. (2018). Covert Communications with a Full-Duplex Receiver over Wireless Fading Channels. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) (Article number 8422941). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2018.8422941.

2017

Book Chapters

  • Yan, S., Yang, N., Malaney, R., Yuan, J. (2017). Antenna selection strategies for wiretap channels. Trusted Communications with Physical Layer Security for 5G and Beyond (67-93). Institution of Engineering and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1049/PBTE076E_ch4.

Journal Articles

  • He, B., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Lau, V. (2017). On covert communication with noise uncertainty. IEEE Communications Letters, 21(4), 941-944. https://doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2016.2647716.
  • Feng, Y., Yan, S., Yang, Z., Yang, N., Zhu, W. (2017). TAS-Based Incremental Hybrid Decode-Amplify-Forward Relaying for Physical Layer Security Enhancement. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 65(9), 3876-3891. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOMM.2017.2712601.
  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Shu, F., Wang, J., Li, J., Zhang, Y. (2017). Artificial-Noise-Aided Secure Transmission with Directional Modulation Based on Random Frequency Diverse Arrays. IEEE Access, 5(2017), 1658-1667. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2653182.

Conference Publications

  • Yan, S., Zhou, X., Yang, N., Abhayapala, T., Swindlehurst, A. (2017). Channel training design in full-duplex wiretap channels to enhance physical layer security. 2017 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) (Article number 7996663). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2017.7996663.
  • Feng, Y., Yang, Z., Yan, S. (2017). Non-orthogonal multiple access and artificial-noise aided secure transmission in FD relay networks. IEEE Globecom Workshops (Gc Workshops) 2017 - Proceedings (1-6 pp). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOMW.2017.8269229.
  • Hu, J., Yan, S., Zhou, X., Shu, F., Wang, J. (2017). Covert communication in wireless relay networks. GLOBECOM 2017 - 2017 IEEE Global Communications Conference (1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOM.2017.8254008.
  • Yan, S., He, B., Cong, Y., Zhou, X. (2017). Covert communication with finite blocklength in AWGN channels. 2017 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) (Article number 7996337). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2017.7996337.
  • Shahzad, K., Zhou, X., Yan, S. (2017). Covert Communication in Fading Channels under Channel Uncertainty. 2017 IEEE 85th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring) (Article number 8108525). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/VTCSpring.2017.8108525.
  • Feng, Y., Yang, Z., Yan, S., Yang, N., Lv, B. (2017). Physical layer security enhancement in multi-user multi-full-duplex-relay networks. IEEE International Conference on Communications - Proceedings (Article number 7996991). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICC.2017.7996991.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Yan, S., Nevat, I., Peters, G., Malaney, R. (2016). Location Verification Systems under Spatially Correlated Shadowing. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 15(6), 4132-4144. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2016.2535303.
  • Yan, S., Malaney, R., Nevat, I., Peters, G. (2016). Location Verification Systems for VANETs in Rician Fading Channels. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 65(7), 5652-5664. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2015.2453160.
  • He, B., Yang, N., Yan, S., Zhou, X. (2016). Regularized Channel Inversion for Simultaneous Confidential Broadcasting and Power Transfer: A Large System Analysis. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, 10(8), 1404-1416. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTSP.2016.2608792.
  • Yan, S., Malaney, R. (2016). Location-Based Beamforming for Enhancing Secrecy in Rician Wiretap Channels. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 15(4), 2780-2791. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2015.2510635.
  • Yan, S., Zhou, X., Yang, N., He, B., Abhayapala, T. (2016). Artificial-Noise-Aided Secure Transmission in Wiretap Channels with Transmitter-Side Correlation. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 15(12), 8286-8297. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2016.2613860.

Conference Publications

  • Akbar, N., Yan, S., Yang, N., Yuan, J. (2016). Mitigating pilot contamination through location-aware pilot assignment in massive MIMO networks. IEEE Globecom Workshops (Gc Workshops) 2016 - Proceedings (Article number 7848962). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOMW.2016.7848962.
  • Yan, S., Zhou, X., Yang, N., He, B., Abhayapala, T. (2016). Correlation-based power allocation for secure transmission with artificial noise. 2016 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) (Article number 7841703). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOM.2016.7841703.

Research Projects

  • Intelligent Reflecting Surface-enabled High-speed 6G Wireless Networks, Australian Research Council, Discovery Projects (DP23), 2023 ‑ 2026, $110,331.
  • Drone detection based on software defined radio platforms, AppVision Australia, Grant, 2025 ‑ 2026, $15,000.
  • SCATES: Securing Critical Agriculture Technology and Emerging Solutions, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Grant, 2023 ‑ 2024, $180,000.
  • Enabling Private and Secure Information Transmission by Covert Communications, Edith Cowan University, Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant Scheme 2022 (Stream 2), 2023 ‑ 2024, $38,322.
  • Generating an Authentication Protocol for Western Australian's Smart Grid, Cyber Security Research Centre Ltd, Cyber Security Research Centre Masters Scholarship, 2022 ‑ 2024, $120,000.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, CubeSat Communications Enhanced by Movable Antennas

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Location Spoofing Detection in Millimeter Wave Communication Systems
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