Illicit uses of images dramatically rise with deepfake content manipulation or unauthorized access. Securing images from their source i.e., at the image sensor level, is key to address the challenges of this field of cybersecurity. The 'trusted imagers' addresses the need to ensure image security, authentication, and encryption starting at the point
of acquisition.
Building on our initial research, your PhD thesis will focus on finding innovative solutions to integrate security functions into image sensors with the challenge of meeting the requirements of low power consumption and compact integrated architecture, while keeping a high level of security. After an initial phase aiming at the development of the skills specific to the thesis, and depending on your background and interests, your work will involve:
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Developing encryption and/or watermarking algorithms in Python to evaluate their
complexity, then proposing compact versions compatible with integration into image
sensors.
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Evaluating the impact of algorithmic choices and hardware implementation on image
quality.
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Designing and validating hardware architectures that implement the algorithms.
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Designing the integrated circuits implementing these functions.
With the ultimate goal of fabricating an integrated circuit, the work will be conducted at CEA
Leti ,
using professional IC design tools and software development environments.