DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF REAR-SIDE ATTACKS ON SECURED SYSTEMS
A security device with electrodes and insulators in the substrate detects backside attacks by monitoring resistance changes, addressing the vulnerability of ICs to rear-side modifications.
DE102015112669B4Active Publication Date: 2026-06-03MAXIM INTEGRATED PROD INC
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MAXIM INTEGRATED PROD INC
- Filing Date
- 2015-08-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Technical Problem
Conventional integrated circuits (ICs) lack sufficient protection against security attacks from the backside, which can be exploited by techniques like focused ion beam (FIB) to modify circuitry and extract secret information.
Method used
A security device comprising a first and second electrode in the substrate, surrounded by an electrical insulator, forms an electrical path with a donut-shaped N-tub and depletion region, detecting backside attacks by monitoring resistance changes.
Benefits of technology
The device effectively detects and prevents backside security attacks by sensing resistance variations, ensuring the integrity of ICs.
✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Device (230) for protecting a substrate (204) of an integrated circuit (IC) from a security attack, comprising: a first electrode (248) formed in a substrate (204); a second electrode (242) formed in the substrate (204); an electrical insulator (240, 250) formed in the substrate (204) and surrounding the first electrode (248), wherein a section of the substrate (204) under the electrical insulator (240, 250) forms an electrical path (266) between the first and the second electrode (248, 242) and wherein the substrate (204) is made of material of type P - is formed, the first and the second electrode (248, 242) are made of material of type P + are formed and the electrical insulator is an N - -Contains a donut-shaped tub (240) surrounding the first electrode (248); an electrical resistance (252) of the electrical path (266) designed to change in response to a modification of the section of the substrate (204), thereby detecting a security attack on the substrate (204); and a first N + -ring (246), which is located between the first electrode (248) and the N ― Tub (240) is diffused into and surrounds the first electrode (248) and is suitable to prevent a latch-up between the first and second electrode (248, 242) during operation.
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