Bayesian Neural Networks for Identification and Classification of Radio Frequency Transmitters Using Power Amplifiers’ Nonlinearity Signatures

The edge devices in an emerging Internet-of-Things (IoT) environment require comprehensive security measures that are within the power budget for ubiquitous computing. In this paper, a transmitter identification scheme consisting of a lightweight Bayesian neural network (BNN)-based classifier using raw time-domain data is presented. Evaluation is performed with data obtained in schematic-level simulation of high-efficiency CMOS power amplifier designs using a 65 nm process design kit (PDK). The Bayesian neural networks achieve 89.5% accuracy on the task of classifying six transmitters. Moreover, the BNN classifier is implemented on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with parallel pseudo-Gaussian random number generators to achieve a throughput of more than 340,000 classifications per second, with average energy consumption for each classification task of 0.548 μJ. This low-power system enables comprehensive security for energy-constrained IoT devices and sensors.