Hardware Trojan Detection via Logic Cell Probability Computation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting hardware trojans are time-consuming and difficult to implement, especially in SoC design, due to the rare functionality of hardware trojans and the need for extensive simulation.

Innovation Solution

A hardware trojan detection method that updates input and output values of all logic cells by performing computations according to logical expressions, and then compares these values with a threshold to detect hardware trojans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If logic simulation with test patterns is used to detect hardware trojans, then detection capability is improved, but detection time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware trojan detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection approach by changing the parameter domain from binary logic values (0/1) to continuous probability values (0-1). This allows the system to compute activation probabilities of logic cells using mathematical formulas instead of exhaustive simulation, dramatically reducing detection time while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical simulation process with a mathematical computation system. Instead of physically simulating signal propagation through test patterns, the system uses probability propagation formulas to calculate activation probabilities, substituting computational mathematics for mechanical simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If transition probability simulation is used for hardware trojan detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinformation requirement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for probability propagation (logical expressions of logic cells and their connectivity) from the complete cell library. This selective extraction reduces the information burden while maintaining detection accuracy, as only relevant logical relationships are retained for computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If gate operation rate calculation pattern creation is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidoperation rate calculation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the probability propagation method to handle not only logic cells but also macrocells and their interconnections. By applying the same probability computation framework to different levels of circuit abstraction, the system maintains precision while achieving high productivity across various design granularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12277254B2Hardware trojan detection method, hardware trojan detection device, and program for hardware trojan detection

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 TOSHIBA INFORMATION SYSTEMS (JAPAN) CORPORATION

AI summary

A hardware trojan detection method is provided including an input and output updating step of updating input and output values of all logic cells by performing computations according to logical expressions of all logic cells included in a netlist to be verified and a detection step of performing hardware trojan detection based on a comparison result of the updated input and output values and a threshold.