Complete Decorrelation Research Articles

Methodology for Complete Decorrelation of Power Supply EM Side-Channel Signal and Sensitive Data

Electro-magnetic (EM) side channel attacks have become a serious threat to security of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Power supply generated by voltage regulators is one of the most common attack targets due to its strong EM emanations. In this brief we derive analytical conditions for complete theoretical decorrelation of the power supply EM side-channel signal and the sensitive data. The output of the power supply converter is modelled as amplitude modulation (AM) of the load signal by the converter capacitance that acts as a carrier. By applying Price theorem (Papoulis and Pillai, 2002), we obtain the exact theoretical conditions that converter capacitance needs to fulfil in order to prevent EM side-channel attacks. The conditions are further adapted for practical implementation. When the proposed methodology is applied to AES measured traces, the correlation coefficient between the leaked signal and the sensitive data is 0.05. Such low correlation indicates the proposed methodology is a promising candidate against the attacks that exploit AM signals to extract sensitive data, such as, TEMPEST and active EM attacks. Test Vector Leakage Assessment (TVLA) <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho $ </tex-math></inline-formula> -test detects no leaky points, thereby confirming circuit protection against differential and correlation EM attacks as well.

Reference system origin and scale realization within the future GNSS constellation \u201cKepler\u201d

Currently, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) do not contribute to the realization of origin and scale of combined global terrestrial reference frame (TRF) solutions due to present system design limitations. The future Galileo-like medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellation, called “Kepler”, proposed by the German Aerospace Center DLR, is characterized by a low Earth orbit (LEO) segment and the innovative key features of optical inter-satellite links (ISL) delivering highly precise range measurements and of optical frequency references enabling a perfect time synchronization within the complete constellation. In this study, the potential improvements of the Kepler constellation on the TRF origin and scale are assessed by simulations. The fully developed Kepler system allows significant improvements of the geocenter estimates (realized TRF origin in long-term). In particular, we find improvements by factors of 43 for the Z and of 8 for the X and Y component w. r. t. a contemporary MEO-only constellation. Furthermore, the Kepler constellation increases the reliability due to a complete de-correlation of the geocenter coordinates and the orbit parameters related to the solar radiation pressure modeling (SRP). However, biases in SRP modeling cause biased geocenter estimates and the ISL of Kepler can only partly compensate this effect. The realized scale enabling all Kepler features improves by 34% w. r. t. MEO-only. The dependency of the estimated satellite antenna phase center offsets (PCOs) upon the underlying TRF impedes a scale realization by GNSS. In order to realize the network scale with 1 mm accuracy, the PCOs have to be known within 2 cm for the MEO and 4 mm for the LEO satellites. Independently, the scale can be realized by estimating the MEO PCOs and by simultaneously fixing the LEO PCOs. This requires very accurate LEO PCOs; the simulations suggest them to be smaller than 1 mm in order to keep scale changes below 1 mm.

Following in Situ the Degradation of Mesoporous Silica in Biorelevant Conditions: At Last, a Good Comprehension of the Structure Influence.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have seen a fast development as drug delivery carriers thanks to their tunable porosity and high loading capacity. The employ of MSNs in biomedical applications requires a good understanding of their degradation behavior both to control drug release and to assess possible toxicity issues on human health. In this work, we study mesoporous silica degradation in biologically relevant conditions through in situ ellipsometry on model mesoporous nanoparticle or continuous thin films, in buffer solution and in media containing proteins. In order to shed light on the structure/dissolution relationship, we performed dissolution experiments far from soluble silicate species saturation. Via a complete decorrelation of dissolution and diffusion contributions, we proved unambiguously that surface area of silica vectors is the main parameter influencing dissolution kinetics, while thermal treatment and open mesoporous network architecture have a minor impact. As a logical consequence of our dissolution model, we proved that the dissolution lag-time can be promoted by selective blocking of the mesopores that limits the access to the mesoporous internal surface. This study was broadened by studying the impact of the organosilanes in the silica structure, of the presence of residual structuring agents, and of the chemical composition of the dissolution medium. The presence of albumin at blood concentration was found affecting drastically the dissolution kinetics of the mesoporous structure, acting as a diffusion barrier. Globally, we could identify the main factors affecting mesoporous silica materials degradation and proved that we can tune their structure and composition for adjusting dissolution kinetics in order to achieve efficient drug delivery.

The multivariate mixture dynamics model: shifted dynamics and correlation skew

The multi variate mixture dynamics model is a tractable, dynamical, arbitrage-free multivariate model characterized by transparency on the dependence structure, since closed form formulae for terminal correlations, average correlations and copula function are available. It also allows for complete decorrelation between assets and instantaneous variances. Each single asset is modelled according to a lognormal mixture dynamics model, and this univariate version is widely used in the industry due to its flexibility and accuracy. The same property holds for the multivariate process of all assets, whose density is a mixture of multivariate basic densities. This allows for consistency of single asset and index/portfolio smile. In this paper, we generalize the MVMD model by introducing shifted dynamics and we propose a definition of implied correlation under this model. We investigate whether the model is able to consistently reproduce the implied volatility of FX cross rates once the single components are calibrated to univariate shifted lognormal mixture dynamics models. We consider in particular the case of the Chinese Renminbi FX rate, showing that the shifted MVMD model correctly recovers the CNY/EUR smile given the EUR/USD smile and the USD/CNY smile, thus highlighting that the model can also work as an arbitrage free volatility smile extrapolation tool for cross currencies that may not be liquid or fully observable. We compare the performance of the shifted MVMD model in terms of implied correlation with those of the shifted simply correlated mixture dynamics model where the dynamics of the single assets are connected naively by introducing correlation among their Brownian motions. Finally, we introduce a model with uncertain volatilities and correlation. The Markovian projection of this model is a generalization of the shifted MVMD model.

Impacts of Temporal-Spatial Variant Background Ionosphere on Repeat-Track GEO D-InSAR System

An L band geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (GEO SAR) differential interferometry system (D-InSAR) will be obviously impacted by the background ionosphere, which will give rise to relative image shifts and decorrelations of the SAR interferometry (InSAR) pair, and induce the interferometric phase screen errors in interferograms. However, the background ionosphere varies within the long integration time (hundreds to thousands of seconds) and the extensive imaging scene (1000 km levels) of GEO SAR. As a result, the conventional temporal-spatial invariant background ionosphere model (i.e., frozen model) used in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) SAR is no longer valid. To address the issue, we firstly construct a temporal-spatial background ionosphere variation model, and then theoretically analyze its impacts, including relative image shifts and the decorrelation of the GEO InSAR pair, and the interferometric phase screen errors, on the repeat-track GEO D-InSAR processing. The related impacts highly depend on the background ionosphere parameters (constant total electron content (TEC) component, and the temporal first-order and the temporal second-order derivatives of TEC with respect to the azimuth time), signal bandwidth, and integration time. Finally, the background ionosphere data at Isla Guadalupe Island (29.02°N, 118.27°W) on 7–8 October 2013 is employed for validating the aforementioned analysis. Under the selected background ionosphere dataset, the temporal-spatial background ionosphere variation can give rise to a relative azimuth shift of dozens of meters at most, and even the complete decorrelation in the InSAR pair. Moreover, the produced interferometric phase screen error corresponds to a deformation measurement error of more than 0.2 m at most, even in a not severely impacted area.

Slow Temporal Integration Enables Robust Neural Coding and Perception of a Cue to Sound Source Location.

In mammals, localization of sound sources in azimuth depends on sensitivity to interaural differences in sound timing (ITD) and level (ILD). Paradoxically, while typical ILD-sensitive neurons of the auditory brainstem require millisecond synchrony of excitatory and inhibitory inputs for the encoding of ILDs, human and animal behavioral ILD sensitivity is robust to temporal stimulus degradations (e.g., interaural decorrelation due to reverberation), or, in humans, bilateral clinical device processing. Here we demonstrate that behavioral ILD sensitivity is only modestly degraded with even complete decorrelation of left- and right-ear signals, suggesting the existence of a highly integrative ILD-coding mechanism. Correspondingly, we find that a majority of auditory midbrain neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (of chinchilla) effectively encode ILDs despite complete decorrelation of left- and right-ear signals. We show that such responses can be accounted for by relatively long windows of bilateral excitatory-inhibitory interaction, which we explicitly measure using trains of narrowband clicks. Neural and behavioral data are compared with the outputs of a simple model of ILD processing with a single free parameter, the duration of excitatory-inhibitory interaction. Behavioral, neural, and modeling data collectively suggest that ILD sensitivity depends on binaural integration of excitation and inhibition within a ≳3 ms temporal window, significantly longer than observed in lower brainstem neurons. This relatively slow integration potentiates a unique role for the ILD system in spatial hearing that may be of particular importance when informative ITD cues are unavailable. In mammalian hearing, interaural differences in the timing (ITD) and level (ILD) of impinging sounds carry critical information about source location. However, natural sounds are often decorrelated between the ears by reverberation and background noise, degrading the fidelity of both ITD and ILD cues. Here we demonstrate that behavioral ILD sensitivity (in humans) and neural ILD sensitivity (in single neurons of the chinchilla auditory midbrain) remain robust under stimulus conditions that render ITD cues undetectable. This result can be explained by "slow" temporal integration arising from several-millisecond-long windows of excitatory-inhibitory interaction evident in midbrain, but not brainstem, neurons. Such integrative coding can account for the preservation of ILD sensitivity despite even extreme temporal degradations in ecological acoustic stimuli.

The Multivariate Mixture Dynamics Model: Shifted Dynamics and Correlation Skew

The Multi Variate Mixture Dynamics model is a tractable, dynamical, arbitrage-free multivariate model characterized by transparency on the dependence structure, since closed form formulae for terminal correlations, average correlations and copula function are available. It also allows for complete decorrelation between assets and instantaneous variances. Each single asset is modelled according to a lognormal mixture dynamics model, and this univariate version is widely used in the industry due to its flexibility and accuracy. The same property holds for the multivariate process of all assets, whose density is a mixture of multivariate basic densities. This allows for consistency of single asset and index/portfolio smile.In this paper, we generalize the MVMD model by introducing shifted dynamics and we propose a definition of implied correlation under this model. We investigate whether the model is able to consistently reproduce the implied volatility of FX cross rates, once the single components are calibrated to univariate shifted lognormal mixture dynamics models. We compare the performance of the shifted MVMD model in terms of implied correlation with those of the shifted Simply Correlated Mixture Dynamics model where the dynamics of the single assets are connected naively by introducing correlation among their Brownian motions. Finally, we introduce a model with uncertain volatilities and correlation. The Markovian projection of this model is a generalization of the shifted MVMD model.

Determining the stability and activation energy of Si acceptors in AlGaAs using quantum interference in an open hole quantum dot

We fabricated an etched hole quantum dot in a Si-doped (311)A AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure to study disorder effects via magnetoconductance fluctuations (MCF) at millikelvin temperatures. Recent experiments in electron quantum dots have shown that the MCF are sensitive to the disorder potential created by remote ionized impurities. We utilize this to study the temporal/thermal stability of Si acceptors in $p$-type AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures. In particular, we use a surface gate to cause charge migration between Si acceptor sites at $T=40$ mK, and detect the ensuing changes in the disorder potential using the MCF. We show that Si acceptors are metastable at $T=40$ mK and that raising the device to a temperature $T=4.2$ K and returning to $T=40$ mK is sufficient to produce complete decorrelation of the MCF. The same decorrelation occurs at $T\ensuremath{\sim}165$ K for electron quantum dots; by comparing with the known trap energy for Si DX centers, we estimate that the shallow acceptor traps in our heterostructures have an activation energy ${E}_{A}\ensuremath{\sim}3$ meV. Our method can be used to study charge noise and dopant stability towards optimization of semiconductor materials and devices.

Very long range quasi-Fourier spectroscopy for narrowband lasers

The measurement of the spectral broadening, or temporal coherence property of very narrow linewidth lasers is not an easy task, while such a measurement is essential in any interferometric applications of the lasers. The beat note between two assumingly identical lasers only provides the convolutional spectral profile of the two lasers, but not characterizes the single laser. The delayed self-heterodyne interferometer (DSHI) would not be effective for kHz linewidth range because the finite delay cannot realize complete de-correlation. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, the complete characterization of the modulus of the degree of coherence (DOC) of kHz linewidth lasers, with a self-referenced fashion where any other reference beam is not used, accordingly, characterize the spectral profile. The method is based on speckle statistical analysis of the Rayleigh scattering in the coherent fiber reflectometry, and would be a novel strong tool to characterize very narrow linewidth lasers.

The spatial $\Lambda$-Fleming–Viot process on a large torus: Genealogies in the presence of recombination

We extend the spatial $\Lambda$-Fleming-Viot process introduced in [Electron. J. Probab. 15 (2010) 162-216] to incorporate recombination. The process models allele frequencies in a population which is distributed over the two-dimensional torus $\mathbb{T}(L)$ of sidelength L and is subject to two kinds of reproduction events: small events of radius $\mathcal{O}(1)$ and much rarer large events of radius $\mathcal{O}(L^{\alpha})$ for some $\alpha\in(0,1]$. We investigate the correlation between the times to the most recent common ancestor of alleles at two linked loci for a sample of size two from the population. These individuals are initially sampled from "far apart" on the torus. As L tends to infinity, depending on the frequency of the large events, the recombination rate and the initial distance between the two individuals sampled, we obtain either a complete decorrelation of the coalescence times at the two loci, or a sharp transition between a first period of complete correlation and a subsequent period during which the remaining times needed to reach the most recent common ancestor at each locus are independent. We use our computations to derive approximate probabilities of identity by descent as a function of the separation at which the two individuals are sampled.

Covariances and linear predictability of the Atlantic Ocean

The problem of understanding linear predictability of elements of the ocean circulation is explored in the Atlantic Ocean for two disparate elements: (1) sea surface temperature (SST) under the storm track in a small region east of the Grand Banks and, (2) the meridional overturning circulation north of 30.5°S. To be worthwhile, any nonlinear method would need to exhibit greater skill, and so a rough baseline from which to judge more complex methods is the goal. A 16-year ocean state estimate is used, under the assumption that internal oceanic variability is dominating externally imposed changes. No evidence exists of significant nonlinearity in the bulk of the system over this time span. Linear predictability is the story of time and space correlations, and some predictive skill exists for a few months in SST, with some minor capability extending to a few years. Sixteen years is, however, far too short for an evaluation for interannual, much less decadal, variability, although orders of magnitude are likely stably estimated. The meridional structure of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC), defined as the time-varying vertical integral to the maximum meridional volume transport at each latitude, shows nearly complete decorrelation in the variability across about 35°N—the Gulf Stream system. If a time-scale exists displaying coherence of the MOC between subpolar and subtropical gyres, it lies beyond the existing observation duration, and that has consequences for observing system strategies and the more general problem of detectability of change.

DIC-Based Surface Motion Correction for ESPI Measurements

Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) provides a sensitive technique for measuring surface deformations. The technique involves comparison of the speckle phase angles within surface images measured before and after material deformation. This phase angle comparison requires that the speckle positions be consistent in all images. A lateral shift between image sets of just one pixel substantially degrades ESPI measurements, while a shift of two or more pixels typically causes complete decorrelation and compromises the measurement entirely. To prevent such rigid body motions, the specimen and the optical system must be rigidly fixed. This requirement typically impedes use of the ESPI method in applications outside laboratories or where it is necessary to remove the specimen from the optical setup between ESPI measurements. Here, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to track speckle motion caused by specimen displacement between ESPI phase stepped image sets. The measured image set can then be mathematically shifted to restore the original speckle locations, thereby recorrelating the ESPI measurement. Examples are presented where ESPI measurements are successfully made with specimen shifts over 60 pixels.

Speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography by strain compounding

We present a speckle reduction technique for optical coherence tomography based on strain compounding. Decorrelation is introduced between B-scans by altering the sample's strain. A theoretical description of the technique, based on a transfer-function formalism, and experimental results on silicone phantoms are presented. Nearly complete decorrelation between successive B-scan speckle patterns was observed for a variation in strain of 0.045. Strain compounding by averaging nine B-scans, with 0.003 strain increments between them, resulted in a 1.5-fold reduction in speckle contrast ratio.

A systematic investigation of optimal carrier-phase combinations for modernized triple-frequency GPS

The upcoming modernization of the GPS signals will allow for measurements on an additional third frequency L5 located at 1176.45 MHz. To take advantage of carrier-phase measurements on this new signal, the strategies for integer ambiguity resolution, required for centimeter-level accuracy, may need to be revised. The Least-squares Ambiguity Decorrelation Adjustment method remains perhaps the most powerful tool for finding the best combinations based on a complete decorrelation of the variance–covariance matrix related to the ambiguities. However, the computational load of that method plus the opportunity to comprehensively study the interaction of multiple frequencies suggest a reconsideration of approaches using predefined combinations between frequencies is not out of place. In this paper a systematic investigation is made of all possible triple-frequency geometry-free carrier-phase combinations which retain the integer nature of the ambiguities. The concept of the lane-number is presented to unambiguously describe the wavelength of a particular combination. The propagation of the observation noise and of the ionospheric bias on these combinations is presented. These noise and ionospheric amplification factors are analysed with respect to the resulting wavelength, in an effort to highlight optimal combinations characterized by a long wavelength, low noise and limited ionospheric impact.

Rigorous approach to bore-sight self-calibration in airborne laser scanning

We present a rigorous method for estimating some of the calibration parameters in airborne laser scanning (ALS), namely the three bore-sight angles and the range-finder offset. The technique is based on expressing the system calibration parameters within the direct-georeferencing equation separately for each target point, and conditioning a group of points to lie on a common surface of a known form such as a plane. However, the assumed a priori information about q chosen planar features is only their form not the spatial orientation or position. Thus, the 4· q plane parameters are estimated together with the calibration parameters in a combined adjustment model that makes use of GPS/INS-derived position and orientation as well as LiDAR range and encoder angle as observations. To make the approach practical when working with voluminous ALS and GPS/INS data, the contribution of each laser point to the normal equations is formed sequentially. The discussions focus on practical examples with data from a continuously-rotating scanner that reveal the conditions under which almost complete de-correlation between the estimated parameters occurs. In such a case, all bore-sight angles are determined with accuracy that is several times superior to the system noise level. Given sufficiently strong geometry, the presented method is shown to be not only accurate but also very robust in terms of convergence. When appropriate, the method is applicable for calibration of additional systematic effects such as laser-beam encoder offsets or scale factor with minimal modification to the functional model.

Performance analysis of order-statistic CFAR detectors in time diversity systems for partially correlated chi-square targets and multiple target situations: A comparison

In radar systems, detection performance is always related to target models and background environments. In “time diversity systems”, the assumed Swerling complete correlation (slow fluctuation) and complete decorrelation (fast fluctuation) target models may not predict the actual system performance when the target returns are partially correlated. The probability of detection is shown to be sensitive to the degree of correlation among the received pulses. In this paper, we derive exact expressions for the probability of false alarm ( P fa ) and the probability of detection ( P d ) of a pulse-to-pulse partially correlated target with 2 K degrees of freedom in a pulse-to-pulse completely decorrelated thermal noise for the order statistics constant false alarm rate (OS-CFAR) detector and the censored mean level CFAR (CMLD-CFAR). The complete analysis is carried out for the “non-conventional time diversity system” (NCTDS) and multiple target situations. The obtained results are compared with the detection performance of the “conventional time diversity system” (CTDS).

What controls the decay of passive scalars in smooth flows?

The exponential decay of the variance of a passive scalar released in a homogeneous random two-dimensional flow is examined. Two classes of flows are considered: short-correlation-time (Kraichnan) flows, and renewing flows, with complete decorrelation after a finite time. For these two classes, a closed evolution equation can be derived for the concentration covariance, and the variance decay rate γ2 is found as the eigenvalue of a linear operator. By analyzing the eigenvalue problem asymptotically in the limit of small diffusivity κ, we establish that γ2 is either controlled (i) locally, by the stretching characteristics of the flow, or (ii) globally, by the large-scale transport properties of the flow and by the domain geometry. We relate the eigenvalue problem for γ2 to the Cramer function encoding the large-deviation statistics of the stretching rates; hence we show that the Lagrangian stretching theories developed by Antonsen et al. [Phys. Fluids 8, 3094 (1996)] and others provide a correct estimate for γ2 as κ→0 in regime (i). However, they fail in regime (ii), which is always the relevant one if the domain scale is significantly larger than the flow scale. Mathematically, the two types of controls are distinguished by the limiting behavior as κ→0 of the eigenvalue identified with γ2: in the local case (i) it coincides with the lower limit of a continuous spectrum, while in the global case (ii) it is an isolated discrete eigenvalue. The diffusive correction to γ2 differs between the two regimes, scaling like 1∕log2κ in regime (i), and like κσ for some 0&amp;lt;σ&amp;lt;1 in regime (ii). We confirm our theoretical results numerically both for Kraichnan and renewing flows.

Satellite radar interferometry for deformation monitoring: a priori assessment of feasibility and accuracy

Abstracts Conventional satellite repeat-pass radar interferometric measurements can be used for monitoring subsidence phenomena with high accuracies. This methodology was developed for mostly contiguous phase observations, enabling spatial coherence estimation and 2D phase unwrapping. Unfortunately, in many areas in the world, complete temporal decorrelation of the scattering characteristics occurs in a period reaching from days to months. In these circumstances, only urban areas and isolated stable scatterers maintain coherent. The problem is to detect these scatterers amidst their decorrelated neighbors, as spatial coherence estimation is not possible anymore. Methodology for the detection and analysis of such points, labeled permanent scatterers (PS), has been developed by Ferretti et al. [Ferretti, A., Prati, C., Rocca, F., 2000. Nonlinear subsidence rate estimation using permanent scatterers in differential SAR interferometry. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens. 38(5), 2202–2212], using many (30 or more) SAR images of a particular site. This approach enables coherence estimation using temporal, pixel-based evaluation. Together, these points form a geodetic network of opportunity with different characteristics when compared to traditional geodetic network design. For practical purposes, it is necessary to define a set of guidelines to assess the feasibility of contiguous or PS radar interferometry for a specific deformation problem. This feasibility is dependent on the number of SAR data acquisitions available, their spatial and temporal baselines and observation statistics, and the expected spatial and temporal behavior of the deformation process. Here, we will discuss the evaluation procedure to assess a priori whether the techniques of contiguous and PS–InSAR are feasible for specific deformation studies in terms of precision and reliability.

A new method for measuring deformation on volcanoes and other natural terrains using InSAR persistent scatterers

We present here a new InSAR persistent scatterer (PS) method for analyzing episodic crustal deformation in non‐urban environments, with application to volcanic settings. Our method for identifying PS pixels in a series of interferograms is based primarily on phase characteristics and finds low‐amplitude pixels with phase stability that are not identified by the existing amplitude‐based algorithm. Our method also uses the spatial correlation of the phases rather than a well‐defined phase history so that we can observe temporally‐variable processes, e.g., volcanic deformation. The algorithm involves removing the residual topographic component of flattened interferogram phase for each PS, then unwrapping the PS phases both spatially and temporally. Our method finds scatterers with stable phase characteristics independent of amplitudes associated with man‐made objects, and is applicable to areas where conventional InSAR fails due to complete decorrelation of the majority of scatterers, yet a few stable scatterers are present.

A statistical calibration technique for thermochromic liquid crystals

A novel approach is proposed for the color calibration of thermochromic liquid crystals. Based on a statistical interpretation, a linear transform of the native (R, G, B) values can replace the customary hue mapping. The transform coefficients are computed through a proper orthogonal decomposition, providing complete data decorrelation and optimal information compression.