Embedded Antennas in Integrated Circuits for Wireless Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional integrated circuits rely on external antennas, which increase weight, complexity, and vulnerability to reverse engineering and unauthorized access, as they require external circuitry and I/O interfaces for wireless signal reception.

Innovation Solution

Embedding an antenna and its interconnects directly within the semiconductor die of integrated circuits, such as FPGAs or ASICs, allowing for wireless control signal reception at a predefined frequency, and using a control circuit to manage the integrated circuit's functions, thereby eliminating the need for external antennas and enhancing security through physical obfuscation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external antennas are used for wireless signal reception, then wireless communication functionality is achieved, but device weight and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication functionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antenna structure with the integrated circuit board by embedding the antenna within the board layers, combining the wireless communication function with the existing PCB structure. This eliminates the need for separate external antennas and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining wireless functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is nested within the integrated circuit board layers, with the antenna structure embedded between conductive layers. This nesting approach allows the antenna to be contained within the existing device structure, reducing external components and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external antennas and circuitry are used, then wireless signal reception is enabled, but vulnerability to reverse engineering and unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless signal reception capabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to reverse engineering

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the antenna with the integrated circuit board and embedding it within the device structure, the patent makes the antenna harder to access and analyze externally. This integration reduces vulnerability to reverse engineering as the antenna is no longer a separate, easily accessible component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the antenna from an external three-dimensional component to an embedded planar structure within the board layers. This dimensional change embeds the antenna within the device interior, making it more difficult to access and analyze without disassembling the entire device, thereby enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If embedded antenna is integrated within semiconductor die, then device compactness and security are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna fabrication process with the existing integrated circuit manufacturing process, using the same semiconductor fabrication techniques to create both the antenna and the electronic circuits. This merging of processes minimizes additional manufacturing complexity while achieving device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standard semiconductor fabrication parameters and materials to create the antenna structure, ensuring compatibility with existing manufacturing processes. By maintaining parameter consistency with standard fabrication techniques, the patent avoids introducing significant manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired compact embedded design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach results in a more compact, secure, and remotely controllable integrated circuit with reduced weight and complexity, providing enhanced hardware security and enabling remote activation or deactivation, while preventing unauthorized access by only responding to specific frequency signals.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna configured to wirelessly receive a control signal at a predefined frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11637359B2Embedded antennas in integrated circuits, and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

Embedded antennas in integrated circuits, and methods of making and using the same, are provided herein. An integrated circuit within a semiconductor die may include a control circuit; an antenna configured to wirelessly receive a control signal at a predefined frequency; and an interconnect configured to provide the received control signal from the antenna to the control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control a function of the integrated circuit responsive to the received control signal.