Magnetic Side-Channel Monitoring Using Dual-Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side-channel analysis techniques face challenges in effectively monitoring cybersecurity in electronic devices without disrupting normal operation, particularly in safety-critical systems, as conventional sensors struggle with measuring small magnetic fields and are vulnerable to malware and firmware reprogramming.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method using a combination of non-strapping and strapping sensors to measure magnetic fields across different ranges, with a combiner generating a composite measurement, and optional shunt devices or amplifying converters to manage current and voltage, ensuring accurate monitoring without disrupting the device's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure magnetic fields, then the monitoring system is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for small magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field measurement is segmented into two distinct ranges: a first range measured by a non-strapping sensor and a second range (smaller than the first) measured by a strapping sensor. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific measurement range, with the non-strapping sensor handling larger fields and the strapping sensor providing high precision for small fields, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a strapping sensor is used to measure small magnetic fields, then the measurement precision is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a non-strapping sensor and a strapping sensor into a single monitoring system. The non-strapping sensor provides robust measurement for larger magnetic fields while the strapping sensor provides high precision for small magnetic fields. The combiner integrates measurements from both sensors, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision across the full range of magnetic field strengths without the complexity of using only a strapping sensor for all measurements.
3Reliability
If the monitoring tool runs alongside the monitored system, then it can detect anomalies, but it is vulnerable to malware and firmware reprogramming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field measurement as an intermediary mechanism for security monitoring. Instead of running software-based monitoring tools that can be compromised by malware or firmware reprogramming, the system uses physical magnetic field sensors to detect side-channel emissions from the processor. This physical measurement approach creates a trusted monitoring path that is independent of the software running on the monitored system, thereby improving reliability while reducing vulnerability to malware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for non-intrusive, high-resolution monitoring of magnetic fields, reducing noise and vulnerability to malware, while ensuring the monitoring system does not disrupt the electronic device's operation, effectively enhancing cybersecurity by accurately detecting anomalies in the magnetic field traces.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is operable to generate a first measurement of a magnetic field in a first range from the side-channel of the at least one electronic device
Implementation Method 2
The second sensor is operable to generate a second measurement of the magnetic field in a second range from the side-channel of the at least one electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, methods for measuring a side-channel is disclosed. The methods involve obtaining a first measurement of a magnetic field in a first range from the side-channel of the at least one electronic device; generating a version of the side-channel; obtaining a second measurement of the magnetic field in a second range from the version of the side-channel; and generating a composite measurement of the magnetic field from the side-channel of the at least one electronic device based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The first range includes a minimum threshold and at least a portion of the second range is less than the minimum threshold of the first range.