Using the Power Side Channel of FPGAs for Communication

Ziener D, Baueregger F, Teich J (2010)


Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2010

Edited Volumes: Proceedings - IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines, FCCM 2010

Pages Range: 237-244

Conference Proceedings Title: Proc. 18th Annual International IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines

Event location: Charlotte, North Carolina US

DOI: 10.1109/FCCM.2010.43

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel technique for transmitting data over the power supply pins of an FPGA. Using this power side channel communication, a core inside the FPGA is able to send data to a receiver outside of the FPGA. Possible applications include monitoring, debugging, and watermarking. For the communication, we do not need any further resources, like IO pins or modifications of the board. We characterize the communication channel over the power pins and build a channel model. Furthermore, we present an encoding/decoding method which is independent of the board type and FPGA combination. With this approach, we achieve data rates up to 500 kbit/s. Finally, we provide a case study, which extends existing power watermarking techniques to the new encoding/decoding method and show experimental decoding results. © 2010 IEEE.

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How to cite

APA:

Ziener, D., Baueregger, F., & Teich, J. (2010). Using the Power Side Channel of FPGAs for Communication. In Proc. 18th Annual International IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines (pp. 237-244). Charlotte, North Carolina, US.

MLA:

Ziener, Daniel, Florian Baueregger, and Jürgen Teich. "Using the Power Side Channel of FPGAs for Communication." Proceedings of the 18th Annual International IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines (FCCM'10), Charlotte, North Carolina 2010. 237-244.

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