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Virginia Tech

Methods for Securing the Integrity of FPGA Configurations

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

As Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) continue to become integral parts of embedded systems, it is imperative to consider their security. While much of the research in this field is oriented toward the protection of the intellectual property contained in the FPGA's configuration, the protection of the design's integrity from malicious attack against the configuration is critical to the operation of the system. Methods for attacking the configuration are semi-invasive attacks, such as fault injection, and data tampering of incoming partial bitstreams. This thesis introduces methods for securing the integrity of an FPGA's configuration. The design and implementation is discussed for a system that consists of three parts. The first subsystem monitors the running configuration. The second subsystem authenticates partial bistreams that may be used for repairing the configuration from malicious alterations during run-time. The third subsystem indicates if the system itself succumbs to a malicious attack. The system is implemented on-chip, allowing the FPGA to effectively secure itself from attack.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2006

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Webb, James Braxton
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Jones, Mark T.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Patterson, Cameron D.
  • Athanas, Peter M.

Subjects

dc:subject × 11

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-09272006-114810
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35209

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Webb, James Braxton. Methods for Securing the Integrity of FPGA Configurations. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35209