Since Power Analysis on smart-cards was introduced by Paul Kocher [KJJ98], the validity of the model used for smart-cards has not been given much attention. In this paper, we first describe and
analyze some different possible models. Then we apply these models to real components and clearly define what can be detected
by power analysis (simple, differential, code reverse engineering...). We also study, from a statistical point of view, some
new ideas to exploit these models to attack the card by power analysis. Finally we apply these ideas to set up real attacks
on cryptographic algorithms or enhance existing ones.
Keywords: Smart-cards - Power analysis - DPA - SPA
Research done while at Oberthur Card Systems.