Structural transformation-based obfuscation using pseudo-operation mixing for securing data-intensive IP cores

Abstract

The chapter describes a structural transformation-based obfuscation approach using pseudo-operation mixing for securing data-intensive cores or hardware accelerators. The presented approach is based on pseudo-operation mixing algorithm that attains significant structural obscurity in the design to enable unobviousness without affecting the correct functionality. The chapter is organized as follows: Section 9.1 discusses about the introduction of the chapter; Section 9.2 describes the structural transformation-based obfuscation methodology; Section 9.3 presents pseudo operation mixing based structural obfuscation (POM-SO) tool that is capable of performing pseudooperation mixing-based structural obfuscation (SOB); Section 9.4 presents analysis of case studies in terms of security and design cost, especially focusing on digital signal processing (DSP) hardware accelerators; Section 9.5 presents conclusion; Section 9.6 provides some exercise and questions for readers. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2021.