Glitch Detector Using Periodic Clock Signals for Voltage Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security devices face vulnerabilities when data is leaked due to external attacks, and existing glitch detectors may not effectively detect voltage changes caused by such attacks without affecting normal operations.
Innovation Solution
A glitch detector is designed to continuously generate clock signals during voltage changes in the power supply voltage, using a sensing unit to create glitch and reference voltages, and a comparison unit to determine glitches based on these signals, reducing power consumption during normal operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glitch detector continuously monitors voltage changes to detect glitches, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases during normal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The glitch detector operates periodically by generating clock signals only when voltage changes are detected, rather than continuously monitoring. The sensing unit monitors voltage changes and triggers the clock generator to produce periodic clock signals only when needed, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The glitch detector uses the voltage changes themselves to trigger the detection mechanism. The sensing unit detects voltage changes and automatically initiates the clock signal generation and comparison operations, allowing the system to serve itself by using the anomaly detection to activate the monitoring function.
2Measurement precision
If the glitch detector uses multiple comparison operations to accurately detect voltage changes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glitch detector is divided into distinct functional modules: a sensing unit for detecting voltage changes, a clock generator for producing timing signals, and a comparison unit for comparing voltages. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function with optimized simplicity, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock generator serves multiple functions: it generates timing signals for the comparison operations, provides a reference for detecting voltage change duration, and enables the sensing unit to monitor voltage changes systematically. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Speed
If the detector generates clock signals continuously during voltage changes, then glitch detection speed is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock generator produces periodic clock signals only during voltage changes detected by the sensing unit, rather than continuously generating signals. This periodic operation maintains fast glitch detection response while significantly reducing energy loss compared to continuous clock signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit provides feedback about voltage changes to the clock generator, which adjusts its operation accordingly. When voltage changes are detected, the clock generator activates and produces periodic signals for rapid detection. When no changes occur, the clock generator remains inactive, preventing energy waste while maintaining the ability to detect glitches at high speed when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A glitch detector, a glitch detection method, and a security device including the glitch detector. The glitch detector includes: a sensing unit configured to generate a glitch voltage and at least one reference voltage based on a power supply voltage; a clock generator configured to receive a monitoring voltage corresponding to at least one from among the power supply voltage and the glitch voltage, and to output a clock signal including a plurality of pulse signals while a voltage change occurs in the monitoring voltage, wherein the plurality of pulse signals have a predetermined period; and a comparison unit configured to operate based on each of the plurality of pulse signals, and to compare the glitch voltage with the at least one reference voltage and output a detection voltage based on determining that a glitch has occurred.