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

加密是一种重要的安全工具，特别是在无线系统中，其中信号不受物理约束。 然而，在极低功耗的应用中（例如RFID和传感器网络），节点以高安全级别运行标准密码算法所需的功率可能是过高的。 在这个探索性项目中，正在评估物理层加密可以取代极低功耗无线应用中高层数字加密的假设。 一种新的低功耗超宽带（UWB）无线电框架正在开发和不同的系统参数考虑其密码安全性。团队在数字和RF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下所需的功耗趋势和基本下限。 该研究团队由马萨诸塞大学的教师组成，他们在超宽带系统设计和表征，低功耗数字硬件和低功耗RF硬件方面具有专业知识，以及RSA实验室密码学专家的（外部）贡献。 该项目的预期成果包括：（1）拟议的UWB加密框架的开发和加密评估，以及（2）标准（数字）方法和UWB框架所需功率的趋势和下限的发展。 该假设的建立将通过提供如何在低功率无线系统中提供加密的全新观点而产生重大影响。 该项目还为研究生和本科生提供了跨越模拟和数字电路、通信理论和密码学边界进行研究的机会。

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.