Assessing Hardware Security Threats Posed by Hardware Trojans in Power Electronics

This study investigates the threat of hardware Trojans (HTs) in power electronics applications, a rising concern due to the growing demand for cost-effective embedded solutions in power systems. With the supply chain for electronic hardware devices expanding globally, particularly to low-cost foundries in foreign locations, there is an increasing risk of HT attacks. While there has been extensive research on HTs in computer applications, little consideration has been given to their threat in power electronics. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a power electronics HT by implementing a novel HT design into a gate drive circuit. Additionally, the research proposes several HT designs that exploit factors unique to power circuits, such as high power delivery and analog circuitry in order to illustrate the distinct attack space. The research highlights the need for enhanced detection, protection, and prevention methods in power electronics applications and offers a roadmap for future studies to develop more effective countermeasures and algorithms to mitigate the risks of HT attacks in power electronics