CT-ER: Ultra-wideband Radio for Low-Power Security

加密是一个重要的安全工具，特别是在信号不受物理限制的无线系统中。然而，在极低功率的应用(例如，RFID和传感器网络)中，节点在高安全级别下运行标准密码算法所需的功率可能是令人望而却步的。在这个探索性项目中，物理层加密可以在极低功率的无线应用中取代在高层进行的数字加密的假设正在评估中。一种新的低功耗超宽带(UWB)无线电框架正在开发中，并考虑了其在不同系统参数下的密码安全性。团队在数字和射频电路方面的专业知识可以准确计算标准数字加密和物理层加密方案所需功率的趋势和基本下限。研究团队由拥有超宽带系统设计和表征、低功率数字硬件和低功率射频硬件专业知识的加州大学马萨诸塞州大学教职员工组成，并由RSA实验室的密码学专家(外部)贡献。该项目的预期成果包括(1)拟议的超宽带加密框架的开发和加密评估，以及(2)制定标准(数字)方法和超宽带框架所需功率的趋势和下限。这一假设的建立将对如何在低功率无线系统中提供加密提供一个全新的视角，从而产生重大影响。该项目还为研究生和本科生提供了跨越模拟和数字电路、通信理论和密码学的研究机会。

Encryption is an important tool for security, particularly in wireless systems, where the signal is not physically constrained. However, in extremely low-power applications (e.g. RFID and sensor nets), the power required for nodes to run standard cryptographic algorithms at a high level of security can be prohibitive. In this exploratory project, the hypothesis that encryption at the physical layer can supplant encryption done digitally at higher layers in extremely low-power wireless applications is being evaluated. A novel low-power ultra-wideband (UWB) radio framework is being developed and its cryptographic security for different system parameters considered. Team expertise in digital and RF circuits allows accurate calculation of both trends and fundamental lower bounds on the power required under both standard digital cryptographic and the physical layer cryptography scheme. The research team consists of UMass faculty with expertise in ultra-wideband system design and characterization, low-power digital hardware, and low-power RF hardware, and (external) contributions from an expert in cryptography at RSA Labs. Expected results of the project include (1) the development and cryptographic assessment of the proposed UWB framework for encryption, and (2) the development of trends and lower bounds on the power required for both standard (digital) approaches and the UWB framework. The establishment of the hypothesis would have a substantial impact by providing a completely new view of how to provide encryption in low-power wireless systems. The project is also providing opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to perform research crossing the boundaries of analog and digital circuits, communication theory and cryptography.