Power-consumption malware detector for embedded devices
This technology detects malware, viruses, and denial-of-service attacks on electronic devices by watching how much electrical power the device is drawing. When malicious software runs, it forces the processor or network hardware to work harder, which shows up as a spike in power consumption. A more sophisticated version converts the power signal into the frequency domain and looks for characteristic frequency patterns that act like a fingerprint for specific known attacks. The approach is especially useful for mobile, battery-powered devices where lightweight, hardware-level protection is valuable.
What you could build
A hardware security module or firmware component embedded in smartphones, IoT devices, or industrial controllers that detects malware in real time without relying on software agents — sold to device OEMs or enterprise mobile device management vendors as a low-overhead security layer.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense contractors and government IT integrators in the Northern Virginia corridor — particularly those building ruggedized or embedded devices for DoD — would have direct interest in hardware-level malware detection.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Grant A. Jacoby, Nathaniel J. Davis IV, Randolph C. Marchany
- Granted
- January 25, 2011
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7877621
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.