Survey of Satellite Covert Communications: Status, Key Technologies, and Future Challenges

DENG Hao; SUN Weiyuan; ZHU Zhengyu; PAN Gaofeng; SUN Gangcan

doi:10.11999/JEIT260177

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DENG Hao, SUN Weiyuan, ZHU Zhengyu, PAN Gaofeng, SUN Gangcan. Survey of Satellite Covert Communications: Status, Key Technologies, and Future Challenges[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260177

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DENG Hao, SUN Weiyuan, ZHU Zhengyu, PAN Gaofeng, SUN Gangcan. Survey of Satellite Covert Communications: Status, Key Technologies, and Future Challenges[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260177

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Survey of Satellite Covert Communications: Status, Key Technologies, and Future Challenges

doi: 10.11999/JEIT260177 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT260177

1.
School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
2.
School of Future Technology, Henan University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
3.
School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
4.
School of Cyberspace Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China

Funds: National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62571495, 62571182, State Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology (Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications) under Grant SKLNST-2025-1-07, Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province under Grant 232300421097, Program for Science & Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province under Grant 23HASTIT019

Received Date: 2026-02-09
Accepted Date: 2026-07-06
Rev Recd Date: 2026-07-06

Available Online: 2026-07-19

Abstract

Abstract

Objective This survey comprehensively integrates the theoretical foundations, key technologies, and future challenges in the field of satellite covert communications. Based on the classic Alice-Bob-Willie model, it analyzes the impact of satellite channel characteristics on covert communication capacity, laying the theoretical groundwork. It summarizes the covert communication network model under the space-based, air-based, and ground-based three-layer architecture (Fig. 1), and systematically reviews core technologies and their optimization methods, including signal camouflage coding, beamforming, spectrum diversity, quantum encryption, and AI-assisted techniques. The main security threats faced by satellite covert communications are outlined, and multi-layered defense strategies, such as physical layer security and intelligent collaborative protection, are summarized. This provides theoretical and technical support for promoting highly secure and intelligent development in this field. Significance The research significance of this survey lies in its systematic integration of the theoretical framework and technological systems in the field of satellite covert communications. Addressing the threats of detection, interference, and eavesdropping in the vast, open satellite environment, it summarizes representative space-air-ground architectures reported in the literature. These architectures overcome the limitation of traditional encryption technologies that only protect information content, supporting low probability of detection by reducing statistical distinguishability at the physical layer. By elucidating the constraints of satellite channels on covert capacity through the refined square root law, and reviewing enhancement strategies reported in prior work centered on core technologies such as dynamic encoding, beamforming, and spectrum diversity, it provides theoretical and technical foundations for constructing highly survivable space-air-ground integrated secure communication networks. This holds significant strategic value for national defense, emergency communications, and the security assurance of 6G integrated space-terrestrial networks. Progress Existing studies reveal the dual impact of Doppler spread on satellite covert capacity: while increasing the missed detection probability, it simultaneously causes signal distortion, necessitating reliance on adaptive coding for compensation. The research further quantifies the detection characteristic differences among terrestrial, aerial, and orbital wardens (Willie) (Table 1), providing a theoretical basis for hierarchical defense design. In terms of covertness enhancement techniques, existing schemes propose multi-level strategies. AI-driven dynamic camouflage combined with sparse coding integrates background noise, inter-satellite links, and dynamic beamforming, improving covert throughput. At the network level, cooperative UAV-assisted transmission and dynamic spectrum coordination are summarized as typical network-level enhancement schemes (Fig. 3). Based on representative studies, a hierarchical defense framework for satellite covert communications is summarized. This combines reconfigurable intelligent surface control, Stackelberg game-theoretic incentives for jamming cooperation, and XOR network coding, and utilizes federated learning to achieve cross-domain threat signature sharing. These systematic advances provide innovative solutions for the covertness and security of satellite communications. Conclusions This paper systematically investigates the foundations and advancements of satellite covert communication, highlighting the integration of multi-layer satellite constellations, dynamic aerial relays, and quantum-encrypted, software-defined networks to establish resilient global covert channels. By adapting the Alice-Bob-Willie model to real-world satellite channel imperfections, it guides covert throughput and security optimization. The infusion of AI into coding and waveform design enables adaptive, environment-aware concealment strategies. Future research should focus on robust covert links in dynamic LEO environments, scalable constellation management, and the deep integration of AI and quantum technologies for 6G NTN systems, as the convergence of programmable satellites, intelligent surfaces, and advanced machine learning is expected to further influence secure space communications. Prospects Future research challenges and development trajectories focus on four critical domains: robust transmission under non-ideal channels, AI-enabled intelligent decision-making, 6G NTN integrated networking, and quantum-communication integration (Fig. 4). High-precision Doppler compensation models must be developed to mitigate rapid channel variations in LEO satellites. Concurrently, robust transmission mechanisms should be developed under non-ideal CSI conditions, potentially leveraging deep reinforcement learning for real-time resource optimization. Research should prioritize synergistic advancement of AI and quantum technologies. This entails integrating cross-layer Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) designs with covert transmission protocols, while utilizing Software-Defined Satellite (SDS) capabilities for dynamic strategy deployment. Key opportunities include exploiting Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for enhanced spatial-domain signal control and implementing blockchain solutions to address trust constraints in multi-node cooperative networks. Essential objectives encompass deploying efficient lightweight onboard algorithms and establishing optimized international coordination frameworks for spectrum and orbital resource allocation.
- Satellite Covert Communications,
- Covert Encoding,
- Beamforming,
- Spectrum Agility

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References(50)

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