Authentication for Long-range RFID Technology

The project ART is directed towards research on using so-called RFID tags (short for “radio frequency identification tags”) in applications, where long-range communication as well as enhanced security is a necessity. RFID tags communicate over a wireless radio frequency link with the partner device, “the reader.” These tags pull their energy for operation from the electromagnetic field produced by the reader. In ART, we propose to investigate the design and use of such tags when including strong symmetric cryptographic algorithms. The use of such tags improves existing applications where security is of concern. Items equipped with such RFID tags are also able to authenticate themselves. With this feature, we see new innovative applications for tags, where authentication is necessary. Up to now, tags have not been equipped with strong cryptography due to limits of cost and technology. In ART we plan to push these limits by investigating new implementation techniques where processing power matches the available energy. The push of these limits is far from trivial and challenging at the moment. From a conceptual point of view, with the inclusion of cryptographic algorithms, we intend to pull RFID tag technology out of simple state machines into programmable controller-type systems. In addition, the project ART concentrates on long-range communication. Advances in this respect are needed in order to fully exploit the potential of wireless communication. New innovative architectur