Authentication Chip Identifier Verification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent the use or reuse of counterfeit or re-used electronic devices, such as integrated circuits (ICs) or chips, in electronic systems, which can compromise system reliability and pose life-threatening risks, especially in critical applications like military and medical systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that authenticates devices using unique identifiers stored on both the devices and an authentication device, ensuring only authorized devices can operate by checking these identifiers upon system initialization and during operation, with secure communication and hashing to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional ICs are equipped with production identity numbers for tracking and tracing, then the ability to track and trace chips is improved, but the prevention of chip reuse and counterfeit usage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into multiple components: a machine-readable identification element on the chip, a separate authentication device storing reference identifiers, and a verification system. This segmentation allows the tracking function to be separated from the authentication function, enabling both tracking and prevention of reuse through coordinated operation of these segments.
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication device serves as an intermediary between the chips and the verification system. This intermediary stores authentic identifiers and facilitates the comparison process, enabling reliable authentication without requiring direct complex communication between chips and the verification system.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a lifespan counter is implemented on a chip register to limit chip lifetime, then protection from overall aging is improved, but the prevention of reused chips from failed systems is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication device stores authentic identifiers of chips before they are deployed in systems. This preliminary action enables the verification system to later compare current chip identifiers against the stored authentic identifiers, preventing reuse of chips from failed systems by detecting identifier mismatches.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification system provides feedback by comparing the identification element's data against the authentication device's stored identifiers. This feedback mechanism detects whether a chip is authentic or reused, enabling the system to prevent operation of chips from failed systems through the authentication result.
3Reliability
If unique identifiers are stored on each device and checked against an authentication device, then the prevention of counterfeit and reused devices is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex authentication logic and reference identifier storage are extracted from individual chips and placed in a separate authentication device. This extraction simplifies the chip design while maintaining reliable authentication, as the chip only needs to store a simple identification element that can be verified by the external authentication device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for authenticating electronic devices, particularly chips or integrated circuits is described. This allows authenticating that the devices are authorized by the original manufacturer for operation in critical applications.