Proposal #:	F081-097-0013	DoD Submission #:	F081-097-0013
Phase:	I	Program:	SBIR
Proposal Title:	Highly Secure Active, Satellite-enabled RFID System with Sensor Capability
AF Sol Topic #:	AF081-097	DoD Technology Area:	Materials / Processes
Solicitation #:	08.1	Gov't Managing Office:	XPTTOO
Agency:	AF	Gov't Sponsoring Office:
Topic Title:	Secure Active Global Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System.

Award Details
Status:	Active (PI)
Amount:	99885	Contract:	FA8201-08-C-0063
Start:	8/19/2008 12:00:00 AM	End:	6/19/2009 12:00:00 AM
Annual Report FY:	2008
Transition Success Story written?		Impact Story Submitted? No
HUBZone:	No
TRL Level:
TRL Application:
DTIC Rpt. Date:		DTIC Rpt. Num.:
DTIC Accession Number:

Firm Details

Firm:	SecureRF Corporation	Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Business?:	No
Address:	175 Post Road West	Woman Owned?:	No
		Veteran Owned?:	No
City:	Westport	Disabled Veteran Owned?:	No
State:	CT	HBCU/MI:	No
Zip:	06880	HBCU/MI Name
Employees:	3

Contact Information

Project Manager Name:	Dr. Iris Anshel
Project Manager Title:	Chief Technology Officer
Project Manager Phone:	(201) 519-9994
Project Manager Email:	IAnshel@SecureRF.com
Corp Official Name:	Mr. Louis Parks
Corp Official Title:	CEO
Corp Official Phone:	(203) 227-3151
Corp Official Email:	LParks@SecureRF.com

Appendix B

Abstract: The proposed Phase I research will prove the feasibility of developing a secure, satellite-enabled, radio frequency identification (RFID) system for verifying the location of and tracking in-transit items without disclosing the location or nature of the communications to unintended individuals. SecureRF’s breakthrough cryptographic protocol, the Algebraic Eraser™, is the world’s first linear-based security algorithm that is small enough to fit on resource constrained devices. The anticipated result of Phase 1 is to determine the feasibility of implementing this protocol within an active RFID tag with GPS functions to authenticate the incoming satellite signal’s request, take the tag from a dormant state to quickly encrypt and transmit the tag’s location along with protected data on the tag and then return it to a dormant state. Implementing cryptography directly on RFID tags is a significant innovation as current security standards cannot address this need. SecureRF will develop the cryptographic model and show how it can be combined with current mature technologies to create a private, secure, active, global RFID system with sensors. The research team includes a leading RFID engineer and world-class cryptographers. In Phase II, a prototype of this system will be designed, developed and produced for field testing.

Benefits: There is a looming crisis as many aging security protocols are subject to more effective attacks. Existing cryptographic algorithms cannot provide strong authentication and data protection on resource constrained computing devices like RFID tags. A secure, global, active RFID system will enable the Department of Defense to safely locate and track its assets worldwide without providing targeting information or exposing tactical locations to unfriendly forces. Similar secure systems will allow commercial shippers to securely track high value assets within containers before and after they reach our borders. A secure RFID tag can monitor any tampering of the shipment while in transit and protect the identity of the container’s content without disclosing the location to potential thieves. The ability to answer the privacy issue in the use of consumer RFID will likely assist with adoption in other potential commercial applications such as for identifying the location of lost hikers, skiers, mountain climbers or other adventurers when outside of cell phone range. To enable world-wide tracking, this system will use satellite interrogation communications, rather than expensive, fixed RFID reader infrastructure or cell phone coverage. The Algebraic Eraser method delivers very strong security for both symmetric and asymmetric solutions. It has ultra-low power requirements and the system configuration will be engineered to have a long battery life to enable the tags to stay in the field for years without recharging or maintenance. This SBIR proposal offers a true breakthrough which will help advance the technological understanding of public key cryptography for small, low powered computing devices. It will also provide worldwide logistical support and supply chain efficiencies via real-time, global tracking capabilities.

Keywords: Active, RFID, Asset tracking, radio frequency identification, crypto, secure, authentication, encryption