Title:  Design and Analysis of Various Sensors for Electromagnetic Side-channel Reception

Committee: 

Dr. Zajic, Advisor

Dr. Peterson, Chair

Dr. Durgin

Abstract:

The objective of the proposed research is to design and analyze electromagnetic (EM) sensors such as antennas, near field probes, and near field focusers for the application of detecting electromagnetic side channel signals directly or through backscattering. EM side channels are unintentional electromagnetic emanations produced by digital circuits as they perform their intended function. We are specifically interested in detecting unintentional electromagnetic emanations that are produced by computer systems such as processors, embedded devices, FPGAs, integrated circuits (ICs), etc. Side channel detection is difficult due to the mechanism of radiation being an unintentional source of signals. To detect them, there are particular requirements of an EM sensor such as resolution, gain, sensitivity, frequency response, and backscattering schemes. To enable detection of side channel signals from 1 GHz to 300 GHz in the near field and the far field; we propose an easily scalable panel antenna with high gain, a high resolution E and H probe pair intended to be used in a backscattering setup, and a THz near field reflector focuser. Each of these designs are first analyzed individually, then evaluated in the context of their intended application and finally their efficacy was validated in their intended application. Our work would provide other researchers with guidelines on how to select and design electromagnetic sensors for side-channel detection as well as develop further understanding of the interaction between these electromagnetic sensors and side-channels.