Measurements toward a theory of light emitting diode reversal attacks, Part 1: Error Avoidance

To understand a new cybersecurity vulnerability involving intentional EMI at frequencies above the RF spectrum, a low cost, high-power, tunable light source across UV, IR, and visible was needed. It turned out to be much more difficult than expected to make. Elimination of sources of error was the primary design goal. This paper describes false starts, blind alleys, and traps for the unwary unfunded experimenter. Wrong make-versus-buy choices can impede results for a long time. In the end, simpler is better, and a straight-through optical path has fewer opportunities for introducing error.