Skip to main content
  • Conferences
  • Students
Sign in
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Industry Partner
Industry Partner
Industry Partner

USENIX ATC '15 button

Get more
Help Promote graphics!


  •  Twitter
  •  Facebook
  •  LinkedIn
  •  Google+
  •  YouTube
Tweets by @usenix
  • Event Code of Conduct
  • Conference Network Policy
  • Statement on Environmental Responsibility Policy
Tweet

connect with us

Authors: 

Michael Coughlin, Ali Ismail, and Eric Keller, University of Colorado, Boulder

Abstract: 

In this paper we present a novel system which incorporates programmable hardware (an FPGA) into a smartphone to enable a vision where apps can include both software and hardware components, or apps with hardware. We introduce a novel mechanism to enable sharing the FPGA in a practical manner by leveraging the unique deployment model of mobile applications - namely that deployment is via an app store, where we introduce a new cloud-based compilation. We present our prototype smart phone using the Zedboard, which pairs a Xilinx Zynq FPGA with an embedded Cortex A9, running an Android-based system which we extended to provide run-time system support for dynamically managing apps with hardware and providing a secure loading system. With this prototype, our evaluation demonstrates the performance gains for an AES encryption module (representing cryptography), a QAM modulation module (representing software-defined radio) of 3x to several orders of magnitude, with room for improvement and a hardware-based memory scanner (representing custom co-processors). We demonstrate the feasibility of our cloud-based compilation within the context of real app store statistics. Finally, we present a case study of a complete integration of hardware into an existing application (the Orbot Tor client).

Michael Coughlin, University of Colorado, Boulder

Ali Ismail, University of Colorado, Boulder

Eric Keller, University of Colorado, Boulder

Open Access Media

USENIX is committed to Open Access to the research presented at our events. Papers and proceedings are freely available to everyone once the event begins. Any video, audio, and/or slides that are posted after the event are also free and open to everyone. Support USENIX and our commitment to Open Access.

BibTeX
@inproceedings {196267,
author = {Michael Coughlin and Ali Ismail and Eric Keller},
title = {Apps with Hardware: Enabling Run-time Architectural Customization in Smart Phones},
booktitle = {2016 USENIX Annual Technical Conference (USENIX ATC 16)},
year = {2016},
isbn = {978-1-931971-30-0},
address = {Denver, CO},
pages = {621--634},
url = {https://www.usenix.org/conference/atc16/technical-sessions/presentation/coughlin},
publisher = {USENIX Association},
month = jun
}
Download
Coughlin PDF
View the slides

Presentation Audio

MP3 Download

Download Audio

  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© USENIX
EIN 13-3055038