Title:  Investigating and Leveraging EM and Backscattering Side Channels for Hardware Security

Committee:

Dr. Alenka Zajic, ECE, Chair, Advisor

Dr. Milos Prvulovic, CoC, Co-Advisor

Dr. Morris Cohen, ECE

Dr. Andrew Peterson, ECE

Dr. Gregory Durgin, ECE

Dr. Hyesoon Kim, CoC

Abstract: This dissertation is focused on investigating side channel leakage and leveraging side channels for component authentication. First, to help designers address and take advantage of electromagnetic (EM) side channels, two methods for locating the physical sources of EM side channels have been developed. The original method is intended to locate the low-frequency sources of the EM side channel, while the updated method is intended to locate the high-frequency sources. Both methods are used to compare how the EM side-channel sources change with frequency and program activity. The second half of this dissertation introduces two methods that make use of side channels for component authentication. The same properties that make side channels such a threat, also make them useful for authentication. The first method uses EM side channels for identifying integrated circuits (ICs) installed on a device. Focusing on components already integrated on a device lets designers authenticate devices assembled by third parties. The second method uses the recently defined backscattering side channel for detecting recycled ICs. Unlike other types of side channels, backscattering is directly affected by the IC aging. Since the backscattering side channel requires no additional circuitry on the IC, it is low cost. The effect of aging on the side channel is investigated through simulation and experimentation.