Title:  Side Channel Signal Analysis for Securing Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems

Committee:

Dr. Alenka Zajic, ECE, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Andrew Peterson, ECE

Dr. Gregory Durgin, ECE

Dr. Hua Wang, ECE

Dr. Milos Prvulovic, CS

Abstract: The objective of the presented 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. This thesis focuses on 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, this thesis proposes an easily scalable panel antenna with high gain, a high resolution E and H probe pair intended to be used in a backscattering setup, a THz near field reflector focuser, utilization of polarization filtering techniques, and THz far field reflectors. Each of these designs is first analyzed individually, then evaluated in the context of its intended application and finally its efficiency was validated in its intended application. This thesis provides 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.