My name is Osaze Shears and I am a
senior Computer Engineering major conducting research in the field of computer
hardware security, with a focus on circuit camouflaging and obfuscation. This
is my second semester conducting undergraduate research within the
Undergraduate Research Scholar’s Program (URSP). This hardware security project
has allowed me to build upon my knowledge of computer engineering by
introducing me to the concept of integrated circuit (IC) counterfeiting, as
well as techniques to prevent this practice. IC counterfeiting is a global
issue that has the potential to affect the safety of consumers who utilize
these devices. The attackers involved in this practice can alter the
functioning of ICs by inserting hardware Trojans, or copy the logic design to
generate similar devices for illegal distribution.
The research that I am conducting
under the guidance of Dr. Houman Homayoun analyzes how these attackers gain
access to IC information through the use of Boolean equation solving programs,
or SAT solvers. SAT solvers can be used to realize the identity of individual
circuit components that have been disguised within the hardware. Our research
studies one approach for determining these component identities in order to
guide the development more efficient circuit camouflaging and obfuscation
practices. The SAT solver algorithm is being developed in Python and tested
with designs from the ISPD98 Circuit Benchmark Suite. By conducting this
research, I have learned a great amount about the IC design flow and the trust
established between leading IC development companies and the manufacturers who
bring these designs to life.
