Evolutionary Algorithm Based Automated Reverse Engineering and Defect Discovery
Abstract
A data mining based procedure for automated reverse engineering and defect discovery has been developed. The data mining algorithm for reverse engineering uses a genetic program (GP) as a data mining function. A GP is an evolutionary algorithm that automatically evolves populations of computer programs or mathematical expressions, eventually selecting one that is optimal in the sense that it maximizes a fitness function. The system to be reverse engineered is typically a subcomponent of a sensor that may not be disassembled and for which there are no design documents. The sensor is used to create a database of input signals and output measurements. Rules about the likely design properties of the sensor are collected from experts. The rules are used to create a fitness function for the GP, allowing GP-based data mining. This procedure incorporates not only the experts' rules into the fitness function, but also the information in the database. The information extracted through this process is the internal design specifications of the sensor. These design properties can be used to create a fitness function for a genetic algorithm (GA), which is in turn used to search for defects in the digital logic (DL) design. In this report, design flaws in two different sensor systems are detected using a GA. One of these systems makes passive detections, the other makes up part of a radar. In the second case, detecting the flaw allows the design of a radar jamming signal. Uncertainty related to the input-output database and the expert-based rule set can significantly alter the reverse engineering results. This report provides significant experimental and theoretical results related to GP-based data mining for reverse engineering. It presents methods of quantifying uncertainty. Finally, it examines methods for reducing the uncertainty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 21, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472759
Entities
People
- James F. Smith Iii
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory