IC Integrity Verification via Encrypted Electromagnetic Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hardware and software integrity verification techniques for integrated circuits, such as those used in semiconductor IP cores, are vulnerable to security concerns like IP piracy and counterfeiting, and traditional methods are often inaccessible or laborious, especially in consumer products.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic-based secure contact-less integrity verification method using pseudo-random number generators (PRNG) to generate and encrypt digital signals, which are then transmitted via near-field magnetic emissions for non-contact sensing, allowing secure information transfer and authentication without the need for physical access or additional interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional digital signature detection techniques are used, then integrity verification can be performed, but the procedure becomes laborious and inaccessible in consumer products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical contact-based signature reading methods with electromagnetic field-based non-contact sensing. The signature is read wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling between the target chip and probing system, eliminating the need for physical test interfaces or direct electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer signature information from the target chip to the probing system. This intermediary enables contact-less communication by modulating electromagnetic signals according to the signature data, allowing verification without direct physical access.
2Reliability
If test interfaces are available for reading digital signature information, then verification can be performed, but it still involves laborious procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for manual test interface connections by using electromagnetic field-based wireless reading. The probing system automatically detects and reads signature information through electromagnetic coupling, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to traditional manual testing procedures.
3Ease of operation
If contact-less electromagnetic sensing is used, then accessibility to consumer products is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms in the probing system to continuously monitor and adjust the electromagnetic sensing parameters. This feedback loop enables real-time optimization of signal detection, compensating for noise and interference to maintain high measurement precision despite contact-less operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the electromagnetic field characteristics (frequency, amplitude, modulation scheme) to optimize signal-to-noise ratio. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on detection conditions, the system maintains high measurement accuracy while operating contactlessly.
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
Enables secure, efficient, and non-invasive authentication of hardware and software integrity in integrated circuits, facilitating wireless verification and protection against IP theft and reverse engineering, with improved signal-to-noise ratio through matched filtering and error correction.
Implementation Method 1
generating an electromagnetic signal associated with the PRNG output digital signal to facilitate non-contact sensing of the electromagnetic signal by a probing system
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide electromagnetic based secure contact-less integrity verification for an integrated circuit. In one example, an embodiment provides for mapping a signal to a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) seed value, generating a PRNG output digital signal based on the PRNG seed value, encrypting the PRNG output digital signal based on a cipher function and a key, and generating an electromagnetic signal associated with the PRNG output digital signal to facilitate non-contact sensing of the electromagnetic signal by a probing system.