Francesco Italia

Multilayer chaotic encryption for secure communications in packet switching networks

A new, efficient algorithm for secure digital communications in packet switching networks is presented. The symmetric cipher proposed exploits the intrinsic synchronization between sender and receiver offered by the network. The key is dynamically adapted by means of a multilayer architecture, the advantage of which is to provide a scalable degree of security. Several interesting features of the multilayer chaotic encryption (MCE) algorithm are presented in relation to a secure transmission of data over the Internet protocol (IP). In particular, the paper shows how the MCE can be efficiently applied within the transport layer security (TLS) protocol, which is currently being standardized by the IETF for secure data transmission over the IP.

Micromachined passive magnetostatic relays for portable applications

A passive MEMS magnetostatic relay using only one electroplated magnetic layer was presented. The relay consists of an electroplated Ni80Fe20 plate supported by a pair of torsion bars from two sides. The relay is actuated by approaching an external magnet to the relay. The switching-on magnetic field is about 4.8 mT and the contact resistance is about 3 Ohms with gold contact. The lifetime testing shows more than 7.5 million hot switching cycles with 1–2 mA current. This passive magnetic relay could find applications in portable electronics, such as cellular phones, personal data assistant (PDA), pace makers, hearing aids, etc.

A Magnetostatic MEMS Switch Designed for Portable Applications

A passive magnetostatic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch using only one electroplated soft magnetic layer of nickel-iron (Ni80Fe20) alloy was designed, fabricated, and characterized. The switch is composed of an electroplated Ni80Fe20 plate supported by a pair of torsion bars from two sides. The Ni80Fe20 plate is patterned into long and narrow strips to improve the sensitivity. The switch is actuated by bringing an external magnet closer to the switch. Therefore, no internal electrical power is consumed by the device for actuation. The magnetic field required to turn on the switch is 4.8 mT, and the initial contact resistance is 0.5 Ω with gold contacts. The switch has been tested to pass more than 34 million hot-switching cycles at 2-mA current at room temperature when packaged at the wafer level with SU-8 sealing. The die size is 2.1 × 1.94 × 1.1 mm3. The magnetic switch of this paper has the potential to replace the conventional reed switch in portable electronics such as laptops, cellular phones, personal data assistants, pacemakers, and hearing aids.

Implementation of multidimensional fuzzy terms on hardware device

In this paper, we will propose a method to represent multidimensional fuzzy terms on a particular hardware device, the processor W.A.R.P. 1 (weight associative rule processor). The choice of this hardware depends on its characteristics here described together with its structure. In order to explain the method and its advantages with respect to the traditional approach using aggregation operators, we will show how a simple fuzzy rules system, concerning a real robotics problem, is implemented in both cases.