Paper 2020/1277

A Simple Protocol to Compare EMFI Platforms

J. Toulemont and N. Ouldei-Tebina and J. M. Galliere and P. Nouet and E. Bourbao and P. Maurine

Abstract

Several electromagnetic fault injection (EMFI) platforms have been developed these last years. They rely on different technical solutions and figures of merit used in the related datasheets or publications are also different. This renders difficult the comparison of the various EMFI platforms and the choice of the one adapted to its own usage. This paper suggests a characterization protocol which application is fast and requires equipment usually available in labs involved in security characterization. It also introduces an effective solution to enhance (by a factor 5) the timing resolution of EMFI platforms built around a commercial voltage pulse generator designed to drive 50 Ohm termination.

Note: This paper suggests to all users and designers of EM Fault Injection platforms a simple characterization protocol and related figures of merit in order to enable fast performance comparison between all available technologies. Its application only requires equipment commonly available in labs involved in security characterization. It could be of great help for sharing information about performances of various platforms.