ECID Readout Through a Multi-Purpose Chip Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices often lack the capability to store and output an electronic chip identifier (ECID) due to the absence of digital interfaces or memory, making it difficult to implement ECIDs without additional pins, which would increase cost and size.
Innovation Solution
An identity unit is integrated into the device to store and output an ECID using an existing pin that serves a different primary function, such as a power supply pin, allowing ECID to be read using analog or digital formats without interfering with the pin's main function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional pin is added to the device for ECID output, then ECID readout capability is achieved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses an existing pin that already serves a primary function (such as a power supply pin) to also serve as an ECID output pin. This multi-functional approach allows the device to output ECID without adding new pins, thereby avoiding increased cost and size while achieving ECID readout capability
2Reliability
If memory is added to the device for ECID storage, then ECID storage capability is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ECID storage function with existing device resources. Instead of adding separate memory dedicated to ECID storage, the invention utilizes available memory resources within the device (such as memory already present for other purposes) to store the ECID, thereby achieving storage capability without increasing device cost or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing memory resources multi-functional by using them for both their original purpose and for ECID storage. This approach allows the device to store ECID without adding dedicated memory, avoiding increased cost and complexity
3Device complexity
If the device is designed as all-analog without digital interface, then device simplicity is maintained, but ECID storage and readout becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a minimal digital intermediary component (such as a simple digital logic circuit or converter) that enables ECID storage and readout in an otherwise analog device. This intermediary bridges the analog and digital domains, allowing the device to maintain its primarily analog simplicity while achieving the necessary digital ECID functionality through the mediating component
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to electronic chip identifiers, ECIDs. In one example an electronic device is disclosed, which includes an identity unit configured to store an ECID that uniquely identifies the electronic chip, and a multi-purpose pin for use in outputting the ECID from the electronic device. The multi-purpose pin is also for a function of the electronic device that is unrelated to electronic chip identification. The identity unit is configured to output the ECID from the electronic device using the multi-purpose pin such that the electronic device can be uniquely identified using the multi-purpose pin.