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Method and apparatus for reducing optical emissions in an integrated circuit

a technology of integrated circuits and optical emission reduction, applied in the field of integrated circuits, can solve problems such as light emission, and achieve the effects of reducing snr, obscuring useful emi, and effective increasing circuit nois

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-02-12
MEMJET TECH LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively prevents the detection of infrared light emissions and disguises the operation of the chip, enhancing security by overwhelming observers with noise and reducing signal-to-noise ratio, thus protecting sensitive information.

Problems solved by technology

In integrated circuits, and CMOS circuits in particular, changes in state of a device such as an inverter can cause emission of light, such as infrared light.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for reducing optical emissions in an integrated circuit
  • Method and apparatus for reducing optical emissions in an integrated circuit
  • Method and apparatus for reducing optical emissions in an integrated circuit

Examples

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example 1

[0554] Suppose we have a car with associated car-keys. A 16-bit key number is more than enough to uniquely identify each car-key for a given car. The 256 bits of M could be divided up as follows:

M[n]AccessDescription0ROKey number (16 bits)1-4ROCar engine number (64 bits)5-8ROFor future expansion = 0 (64 bits)8-15RORandom bit data (128 bits)

[0555] If the car manufacturer keeps all logical keys for all cars, it is a trivial matter to manufacture a new physical car-key for a given car should one be lost. The new car-key would contain a new Key Number in M[0], but have the same K1 and K2 as the car's Authentication Chip. Car Systems could allow specific key numbers to be invalidated (for example if a key is lost). Such a system might require Key 0 (the master key) to be inserted first, then all valid keys, then Key 0 again. Only those valid keys would now work with the car. In the worst case, for example if all car-keys are lost, then a new set of logical keys could be generated for t...

example 2

[0556] Suppose we have a photocopier image unit which should be replaced every 100,000 copies. 32 bits are required to store the number of pages remaining. The 256 bits of M could be divided up as follows:

M[n]AccessDescription0ROSerial number (16 bits)1ROBatch number (16 bits)2MSRPage Count Remaining (32 bits, hi / lo)3NMSR4-7ROFor future expansion = 0 (64 bits)8-15RORandom bit data (128 bits)

[0557] If a lower quality image unit is made that must be replaced after only 10,000 copies, the 32-bit page count can still be used for compatibility with existing photocopiers. This allows several consumable types to be used with the same system.

example 3

[0558] Consider a Polaroid camera consumable containing 25 photos. A 16-bit countdown is all that is required to store the number of photos remaining. The 256 bits of M could be divided up as follows:

M[n]AccessDescription0ROSerial number (16 bits)1ROBatch number (16 bits)2MSRPhotos Remaining (16 bits)3-6ROFor future expansion = 0 (64 bits)7-15RORandom bit data (144 bits)

[0559] The Photos Remaining value at M[2] allows a number of consumable types to be built for use with the same camera System. For example, a new consumable with 36 photos is trivial to program. Suppose 2 years after the introduction of the camera, a new type of camera was introduced. It is able to use the old consumable, but also can process a new film type. M[3] can be used to define Film Type. Old film types would be 0, and the new film types would be some new value. New Systems can take advantage of this. Original systems would detect a non-zero value at M[3] and realize incompatibility with new film types. New...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method of hindering optical detection of a pattern of data being stored, moved or processed by at least one active circuit in an integrated circuit, the active circuit including at least first and second active devices that change state within a period of time, such that each device exhibits low resistance in one state and high resistance in another state, the method comprising controlling timing of the change of state of the first active device relative to the second active device so as to prevent the devices having simultaneous intermediate resistances between the low and high resistances, thereby to reduce optical emission by the at least one active circuit compared to causing the changes of state of the two devices to happen simultaneously.

Description

[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09 / 517,541 filed Mar. 2, 2000TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to the field of integrated circuits. [0003] The invention has been developed primarily for use in integrated circuits that contain important secret information, such as encryption keys stored in non-volatile memory, where it is desirable to prevent that information from being determined through various attacks. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use in this field. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] In integrated circuits, and CMOS circuits in particular, changes in state of a device such as an inverter can cause emission of light, such as infrared light. Whilst relatively low in power, such emissions can be detected, particularly if integrated over time while the circuit is in operation. Given sensitive enough equipment and enough time, it may be possible to determine sufficient information about the operating parameter...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04Q9/00B41J2/14B41J2/16B41J2/165B41J2/175B41J3/42B41J3/44B41J11/00B41J11/70B41J15/04B42D15/10G06F1/16G06F21/00G06K1/12G06K7/14G06K19/06G06K19/073G07F7/08G07F7/12G11C11/56H04N1/00H04N1/21H04N1/32H04N5/225H04N5/262
CPCB41J2/14B42D25/00B41J2/17503B41J2/17513B41J2/17596B41J3/445B41J11/0005B41J11/70B41J15/04B42D2035/34G06F21/558G06F21/79G06F21/86G06F2221/2129G06K1/121G06K7/14G06K7/1417G06K19/06037G06K19/073G06Q20/3674G06Q40/00G06Q40/04G07F7/08G07F7/086G07F7/12G11C11/56H01L23/576H04L9/004H04L9/0891H04L9/0897H04L9/3218H04L9/3273H04L2209/043H04L2209/20H04L2209/60H04L2209/84H04N5/225H04N5/2628H01L2924/0002B41J2/16585H01L2924/00G06F21/755H04N23/00
Inventor SILVERBOOK, KIAWALMSLEY, SIMON ROBERT
Owner MEMJET TECH LTD