Dual-Oscillator Processing Circuit for Power-Glitch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processing circuits are vulnerable to power-glitch attacks, which can compromise security and allow data theft by disabling security protection functions.
Innovation Solution
A processing circuit comprising a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, a counting circuit, and a control circuit that generates clock signals from input and output voltages, allowing the control circuit to detect power-glitch attacks by comparing counter values and asserting warning signals to manage tamper events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the processing circuit operates without power-glitch detection, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but the reliability is poor and security protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuit is divided into two separate power domains: a first power domain that operates without protection and a second power domain that operates with protection. This segmentation allows the circuit to detect power-glitch attacks by comparing operations across domains while maintaining low complexity in the unprotected domain and high reliability in the protected domain.
Solution Approach 2:
A dual oscillation circuit system is introduced as an intermediary mechanism. The first oscillation circuit receives voltage from the unprotected power domain, while the second oscillation circuit receives voltage from the protected power domain. These oscillation circuits mediate the detection process by generating clock signals that are counted and compared to identify power-glitch attacks.
2Reliability
If power-glitch detection is implemented, then the reliability and security are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillation circuits are designed to serve multiple functions: they generate clock signals for normal operation and simultaneously serve as detection mechanisms for power-glitch attacks. The counting circuits in both power domains perform dual roles of timekeeping and attack detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection hardware and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The protected power domain utilizes its own existing oscillation and counting infrastructure to perform detection, rather than requiring entirely separate detection hardware. The second oscillation circuit and second counting circuit in the protected domain serve themselves by comparing their operational state against the unprotected domain, enabling self-diagnosis of power-glitch attacks.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively detects and responds to power-glitch attacks by maintaining secure operation of the protected power domain, preventing data theft and ensuring continuous security.
Implementation Method 1
The first oscillation circuit receives an input voltage and generates a first clock signal according to the input voltage
Implementation Method 2
The second oscillation circuit receives an output voltage and generates a second clock signal according to the output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A processing circuit including a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, a counting circuit, and a control circuit is provided. The first oscillation circuit receives an input voltage and generates a first clock signal according to the input voltage. The second oscillation circuit receives an output voltage and generates a second clock signal according to the output voltage. The counting circuit receives the output voltage. The counting circuit adjusts a first counter value according to the first clock signal and adjusts a second counter value according to the second clock signal. The control circuit receives the output voltage and determines whether the input voltage is experiencing an attack according to the first counter value and the second counter value. The first oscillation circuit operates in an un-protected power domain. The second oscillation circuit, the counting circuit, and the control circuit operate in a protected power domain.