Optimal input covariance for achieving secrecy capacity in Gaussian MIMO wiretap channels

We consider a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Gaussian wiretap channel model, where there exists a transmitter, a legitimate receiver and an eavesdropper, each node equipped with multiple antennas. We study the problem of finding the optimal input covariance that achieves secrecy capacity subject to a power constraint, which in general leads to a difficult non-convex optimization problem. For the Gaussian multiple-input single-output (MISO) wiretap channel where there exists a transmitter equipped with multiple antennas, a legitimate receiver and an eavesdropper each equipped with one antenna, the optimal input covariance is obtained in closed form. For the general case, we derive the necessary conditions for the optimal input covariance in the form of a set of equations. We show that for MISO case, the derived conditions guarantee the optimal input covariance. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the proposed theoretical findings.