GMI Protective Layer for Chip and SiP Attack Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protection solutions for chips and System in Packages (SiPs) are inadequate against various types of attacks, including laser, electromagnetic, and invasive attacks, and fail to provide comprehensive and effective detection of modifications or attacks when the device is not powered.
Innovation Solution
A protective element utilizing an electrically conductive material with a Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI) effect, subjected to a magnetic field, which changes impedance in response to attacks, allowing for real-time and post-attack detection, and providing electromagnetic shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protection solutions (diode-based light detectors, anti-intrusion layers, electromagnetic shielding) are added to protect chips and SiPs, then protection against specific attack types is improved, but device complexity and vulnerability to other attack types increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a magnetic field transmitter that can detect multiple types of attacks (laser, electromagnetic, invasive, and attacks when device is not powered) using a single detection mechanism. This multi-functional approach improves protection effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one system handles diverse threat types that previously required separate protection layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (presence, strength, frequency) to detect different attack types. By monitoring magnetic field parameter variations rather than using separate detectors for each attack type, the system achieves comprehensive protection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Use of energy by moving object
If detection is performed only when the device is powered, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection capability is worsened because attacks can occur when the device is not powered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection capability by using a magnetic field transmitter that can detect attacks even when the device is not powered. The magnetic field detection mechanism remains passive and ready to detect disturbances caused by attacks (such as laser attacks or electromagnetic injections) without requiring active power consumption for continuous monitoring, thus providing early detection while minimizing energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field transmitter leverages the natural magnetic field disturbances caused by attacks themselves to trigger detection. The attack's own electromagnetic or optical energy creates detectable magnetic field changes, allowing the system to detect attacks without requiring additional power consumption for active sensing, effectively making the detection process self-powered by the attack's energy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing protection layers are added to the front and back faces, then protection against face-specific attacks is improved, but vulnerability to electromagnetic waves from various locations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field transmitter as an intermediary detection mechanism that can sense attacks from any location around the device. Unlike face-specific protection layers, the magnetic field transmitter detects attacks through magnetic field disturbances that propagate through space, providing versatile detection coverage that adapts to attacks from any direction or location, including electromagnetic waves that bypass traditional face protections.
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
The solution effectively blocks and detects attacks, including electromagnetic and laser attacks, and ensures the integrity of the protected region even when the device is not powered, offering robust protection against diverse attack methods.
Implementation Method 1
an attack detection element of the device comprising at least one electrically conductive material with giant magneto-impedance effect, GMI, and a magnetic field transmitter to which the electrically conductive material with GMI effect is intended to be subjected
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field transmitter to which the electrically conductive material with GMI effect is intended to be subjected
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (100) of the chip or electronic system package type, comprising at least one protection element (114) of at least a portion of at least one face (116) of the device, said protection element comprising at least: - an attack detection element (118) of the device comprising at least one electrically conductive material with GMI effect, and - a magnetic field emitter to which said electrically conductive material with GMI effect is intended to be subjected, and in which the GMI effect is intended to be obtained in the electrically conductive material with GMI effect when it is traversed by an alternating electric excitation current and subjected to the magnetic field of the magnetic field emitter (126).