Two-Dimensional Distributed Ledger for IC Design Version Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing processes are complex and involve multiple entities, making them vulnerable to hardware vulnerabilities and exploitation, with existing tracking systems failing to provide secure and integrated lifecycle tracking.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional distributed digital ledger system is implemented, with multiple chains for different IC processes, each with a corresponding level of security, using distinct cryptographic protocols to securely track code differentials, simulation data, and fabrication processes, and associate this information with a physically unclonable function (PUF) in the IC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple entities perform IC processes globally distributed, then productivity and manufacturing capability are improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to vulnerability insertion and exploitation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the IC lifecycle tracking into multiple independent chains (design chain, fabrication chain, testing chain) within a distributed ledger. Each chain maintains separate records for different entities and processes, allowing parallel development while maintaining individual security boundaries. This enables multiple entities to work simultaneously without compromising overall system security.
Solution Approach 2:
A blockchain-based intermediary ledger system is introduced between multiple IC entities to mediate trust and verification. The distributed ledger acts as a neutral intermediary that records and verifies all transactions and processes transparently, preventing malicious activities while enabling collaboration among distributed entities.
2Reliability
If comprehensive tracking of all IC processes is implemented, then reliability and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks design versions, records fabrication processes, verifies testing results, and provides security auditing. This universal tracking platform reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple tracking functions into a single multi-functional infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a temporal dimension to IC tracking by using blockchain's immutable chronological recording. Instead of complex multi-dimensional tracking matrices, the solution uses the time-based blockchain structure to organize all process data linearly, simplifying the tracking architecture while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If varying levels of security are applied to different IC processes, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cryptographic protocols
Solution Approach 1:
Different cryptographic protocols and security levels are applied locally to specific chains based on their requirements. For example, the design chain may use one level of encryption while the fabrication chain uses another. This localized security approach provides appropriate protection for each process without requiring uniform high-level security across all systems, reducing overall complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If code differentials are tracked for each iteration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to extensive data storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing complete code versions, the system stores cryptographic hashes (copies) of each code iteration in the blockchain. These hash copies serve as verification tokens that prove the existence and integrity of the full code without requiring storage of the entire codebase. This dramatically reduces information storage requirements while maintaining precise version control.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative system may comprise a plurality of distributed network nodes hosting a two-dimensional distributed digital ledger. The distributed digital ledger may have a plurality of chains of digital blocks in the two-dimensions, wherein each chain may be associated with a particular functionality (e.g., a first set of integrated circuit processes) and a corresponding level of security. For example, a first chain in the first direction may contain digital blocks containing code differentials of the hardware description language code forming the integrated circuit design. A second chain in a second direction may contain digital blocks containing simulation data records generated during the simulation of the integrated circuit design. The first chain and the second chain may be based upon different cryptographic protocols and therefore may be cryptographically separate from each other.