Blockchain IC Authentication via Embedded Unique Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits (ICs) are vulnerable to subversion, where their software or hardware can be altered or replaced, compromising security, especially when they leave a trusted chain of custody, making it difficult to ensure authenticity and detect counterfeit or malicious ICs.
Innovation Solution
A blockchain-based authentication system is implemented, where each IC is fabricated with a unique authentication element, such as a physical characteristic or electrical circuit, which generates a unique authentication code. This code is recorded in a blockchain ledger, allowing for immutable transactions that can be used to authenticate the IC later, even after it has left a trusted chain of custody.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strict physical control measures and chain-of-custody monitoring are used to ensure IC security, then IC authenticity can be maintained within trusted environments, but the IC cannot leave the trusted chain of custody for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication element is embedded in the IC during fabrication, and its authentication code is registered in the blockchain ledger before the IC leaves the trusted manufacturing environment. This preliminary action ensures that when the IC is later used outside the trusted chain of custody, its authenticity can be verified against the pre-registered blockchain record, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining authenticity and enabling external usability.
2Reliability
If physical control measures are maintained to ensure IC security, then IC subversion is prevented, but it becomes difficult to detect counterfeit ICs once they leave the trusted environment
Solution Approach 1:
The blockchain ledger serves as an intermediary between the IC and the verification system. The authentication code embedded in the IC acts as a unique identifier that can be verified against the blockchain record. This intermediary mechanism enables detection of counterfeit ICs even outside the trusted environment, as any deviation from the registered authentication code can be detected through blockchain verification.
3Reliability
If unique authentication elements are embedded in each IC, then individualized authentication is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication element is merged with the IC fabrication process itself, rather than being added as a separate post-processing step. The authentication code is generated and embedded during the standard manufacturing flow, and the blockchain registration is performed as part of the initial IC provisioning. This merging approach minimizes additional manufacturing complexity while achieving individualized authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
An article, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), is manufactured such that the article includes an authentication element that is indicative of an authentication code associated with the article. A block of a blockchain ledger is generated based upon the authentication code. After the article leaves a trusted chain of custody, the article can be authenticated based upon the blockchain. An authentication code can be read from an authentication element included in or on an article under test that is of undetermined authenticity. The authentication code can be evaluated against the blockchain to determine if the authentication code is a genuine code used to generate a block of the blockchain. If the authentication code is genuine, the article under test can be authenticated.