On-Chip EM Pulse Protection Circuit with Antenna Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits are vulnerable to electromagnetic pulse attacks, which can cause glitches and data corruption, allowing attackers to extract secure information, posing a significant threat, especially in applications like self-driving cars and consoles.
Innovation Solution
An on-chip EM pulse protection circuit that includes detection circuitry with an antenna to generate a detection signal in response to EM pulse attacks, an alarm circuitry to generate an alarm signal when the induced voltage exceeds a threshold, and a response circuit to perform defensive actions such as disabling the chip or altering data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an on-chip antenna is used to detect EM pulse attacks, then the detection capability is improved, but the chip area is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple EM pulse detection circuits at different locations on the chip, each with its own antenna. This distributes the detection function locally across critical areas rather than using a single centralized detection system, improving overall detection coverage while optimizing the use of chip area.
Solution Approach 2:
The EM pulse detection circuit is integrated within the existing chip structure, with the antenna and detection logic nested among other chip components. This allows the detection functionality to be embedded without significantly increasing the overall chip footprint.
2Reliability
If multiple EM pulse detection circuits are implemented on the chip, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs identical EM pulse detection circuit designs at multiple locations on the chip. Each detection circuit performs the same function using the same structure, which simplifies the overall design process and reduces complexity compared to implementing different detection mechanisms at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is divided into multiple independent detection circuits, each responsible for a specific region. This segmentation allows each circuit to be designed and verified independently, reducing the overall complexity of the system while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the alarm threshold is set to detect weak EM pulses, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the false alarm rate is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm circuit incorporates a configurable threshold mechanism that allows the detection sensitivity to be adjusted based on operational requirements. This feedback-controlled thresholding enables optimization between detection sensitivity and false alarm rate depending on the specific application context.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm threshold is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt its sensitivity based on operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to maintain high detection sensitivity while minimizing false alarms by adapting to different threat environments.
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 EM pulse attacks, protecting secure information by generating an alarm and performing defensive actions, thereby enhancing the security of integrated circuits against such threats.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna configured to generate the detection signal in response to the EM pulse attack on the integrated circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An on-chip electromagnetic (EM) pulse protection circuit detects EM pulse attacks, generates an alarm, and performs a defensive action to protect the integrated circuit. The EM pulse protection circuit can be used with various integrated circuits or manufactured chips in which, for example, there is a desire to keep information secure, maintain the security of the chip, secure boot processes, and/or protect private keys.