Best paper award to Baras, Yu, Sadler

Professor John Baras (ECE/ISR) and his alumni co-authors, Paul Yu (ECE PhD '08), and Brian Sadler (ECE BS '81; ECE MS '84) of the Army Research Laboratory, received the Best Paper Award for Information Technology/C4ISR at the 26th Army Science Conference (ASC 2008).

The paper, "Power Allocation Tradeoffs in Multicarrier Authentication Systems," introduced new pioneering methods for using authentication techniques that exploit signal characteristics to uniquely identify radios. The paper described how multicarrier systems may use such techniques to stealthy authenticate while maintaining high levels of security and robustness.

The research results were part of the recently completed Ph.D. thesis of Paul Yu, under the direction of Dr. Baras. Paul will be receiving his degree officially in the upcoming December 2008 Commencement. The three authors have jointly applied for two patents on this research. The patents currently are pending

The goal of the Army Science Conference is to promote and strategically communicate the Army Vision for Transformation of the Current and Future Force through Science and Technology. It brings together the scientists, researchers and engineers (some 1,400) that are leading the way in developing the next generation of technology for the U.S. Army. With many of the world's leaders in defense technology and science gathered together, the 26th Army Science Conference spun out additional developments and make progress that will build upon the successes of current programs and initiatives. It was held in Orlando Florida, December 1-4, 2008.

This is the second time that Professor Baras and his students have won this award. He and ISR alumnus Alvaro Cardenas won the same award in 2002.

Published December 18, 2008