Spoofing Attacks on FMCW Radars with Low-Cost Backscatter Tags.

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Radar Systems Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar systems are widely used in various applications.
• Ensuring the integrity of radar signals against malicious interference is crucial for reliable operation.
• Backscatter-modulated tags offer a method for signal manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using backscatter-modulated tags for introducing false information into FMCW radar signals.
• To design and validate a proof-of-concept spoofing device for FMCW radar.
• To explore potential countermeasures against such spoofing attacks.

Main Methods:

• Design of a spoofing device operating in the 24 GHz ISM band, utilizing an amplifier between two antennas.
• Modulation of the spoofing signal achieved by switching the amplifier bias.
• Simulation and experimental validation of the spoofing technique.
• Development of countermeasures based on detecting changes in the frequency sweep slope.

Main Results:

• The developed spoofing device successfully generated false targets at distinct ranges and velocities.
• The use of an amplifier enhanced the spoofing signal level compared to other backscattering methods.
• Sidebands generated by modulation frequency allowed for the creation of multiple false targets.
• Countermeasures based on frequency sweep slope analysis showed potential for detecting the spoofing attack.

Conclusions:

• Backscatter-modulated tags can effectively introduce false information into FMCW radar signals.
• The proposed amplifier-based spoofing device is a feasible method for radar signal manipulation.
• Detection methods focusing on frequency sweep characteristics can mitigate spoofing attacks.