Decoupled Anti-Tamper System for Mass Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-tamper devices are costly, have limited production due to custom designs, and face challenges in dissipating heat, which constrains their size and performance, and their certification processes are time-consuming and expensive, making them unsuitable for mass production and general-purpose computing.

Innovation Solution

A decoupled anti-tamper system with a universal, general-purpose enclosure design that separates the research and development of the enclosure from the internal processing module, allowing for the use of off-the-shelf components and enabling easy replacement of internal IPMs while maintaining security certifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom-designed anti-tamper devices are used to provide security protection, then security assurance is improved, but manufacturing cost and development time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity assuranceVSAvoidcustom design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a standardized anti-tamper enclosure design that can protect multiple different electronic devices and circuitry types. The enclosure includes universal features such as standardized mounting interfaces, configurable sensor arrays, and modular zeroization mechanisms that work across different device platforms, eliminating the need for custom designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the anti-tamper system into independent modular components including separate sensor modules, zeroization logic modules, enclosure structures, and interface adapters. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed, tested, and certified, then combined to protect different electronic devices without requiring complete custom design for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If custom-designed anti-tamper devices are used to provide security protection, then security assurance is improved, but production volume is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity assuranceVSAvoidproduction volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized enclosure design enables mass production by serving multiple device types and applications. The universal mounting interfaces, standardized sensor configurations, and modular components can be manufactured using common tooling and assembly processes, significantly increasing production volume compared to custom-designed devices that require dedicated manufacturing lines for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional anti-tamper devices are used, then security protection is provided, but heat dissipation issues constrain size and performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing targeted thermal management solutions at specific heat-generating locations within the enclosure. Local heat sinks, thermal pads, and ventilation channels are positioned at specific points where heat dissipation is most critical, rather than requiring uniform thermal management throughout the entire enclosure, thereby maintaining compact size while addressing heat dissipation issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If certification processes are completed for anti-tamper devices, then security standards are met, but development time increases leading to obsolete designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity standards complianceVSAvoidcertification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the enclosure with standardized sensor arrays, pre-programmed zeroization logic, and pre-tested mounting interfaces that are ready for certification before final device integration. This allows the anti-tamper system to be certified in advance and then applied to multiple different electronic devices without requiring time-consuming re-certification for each application, significantly reducing development time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the anti-tamper system into independently certifiable modules, the patent enables parallel certification processes. Different modules can be certified simultaneously rather than sequentially, reducing the total certification time. The modular architecture allows individual components to be tested and certified separately, then integrated into complete systems without requiring complete re-certification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3262782B1Anti-tamper system
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 PRIVATE MACHINES INC
  • EP3262782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3262782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3262782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for protecting sensitive data including at least one enclosing layer, a cryptography module, at least one tamper-detecting sensor, zeroization support logic, at least one memory module, and at least one Internal IPM Decoupler configured to provide a link between the anti-tamper system and at least one electronic component that is enclosed by at least one enclosing layer.