Packaged IC Photodiode Resistive Memory Tamper Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaged integrated circuits with resistive memories are vulnerable to data breaches when decapsulated or de-lidded, as malicious entities can access critical information stored in non-volatile memories, necessitating a method to protect this data from such attacks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a photodiode that detects exposure to light and uses the generated energy to modify or destroy critical data stored in the resistive memory, even without external power, while logging the tamper event, by switching the power source from normal operating voltage to a regulated voltage once the photodiode is exposed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the packaged IC uses normal operating voltage to power the resistive memory, then the memory can store critical data, but the data becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access when the package is decapsulated
Solution Approach 1:
The photodiode is positioned to detect light exposure before an attacker can access the memory data. When light strikes the photodiode during decapsulation, it triggers a preliminary anti-action by generating voltage to clear the memory data, preventing subsequent unauthorized access. This proactive measure counteracts the harmful tamper attack before data exposure can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The photodiode acts as an intermediary sensor between the external environment (light exposure during tamper attempts) and the memory data. It mediates the protection mechanism by converting light exposure into electrical voltage that triggers the memory clearing operation, creating a protective barrier against tamper attacks.
2Reliability
If a photodiode is added to detect light exposure and clear memory data, then data security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photodiode's voltage generation function is merged with the memory clearing operation. When light exposes the photodiode, the generated voltage directly triggers the memory clearing circuit, combining the detection and protection functions into a single integrated mechanism. This reduces overall system complexity by eliminating separate power management components.
Solution Approach 2:
The photodiode is self-powered by the light exposure itself, converting optical energy directly into electrical voltage without requiring external power sources. This self-service capability simplifies the circuit design by eliminating the need for additional power management components, batteries, or complex voltage regulation circuits while maintaining the data protection function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the photodiode uses light energy to power the memory clearing operation, then external power is not needed, but the energy availability is limited to light exposure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes its energy source parameter from conventional electrical power to optical energy. The photodiode converts light exposure into electrical voltage, fundamentally changing how the memory clearing operation is powered. This parameter change enables operation without external power sources, leveraging the ambient light conditions during tamper attempts to trigger and power the protection mechanism.
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
Effectively prevents unauthorized access to critical data by automatically destroying it upon package damage, ensuring data security even when the IC has no other power source, and logs tamper events for authentication and secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode, wherein the photodiode generates energy when radiation strikes a surface of the photodiode
Data Source
AI summary
A packaged integrated circuit includes a photodiode and a memory. The photodiode generates energy when radiation strikes a surface of the photodiode. The memory includes a plurality of non-volatile memory cells and memory control circuitry. The memory control circuitry is configured to perform an operation to change values stored in at least some of the memory cells of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells while being powered by energy generated by the photodiode. An encapsulant at least partially encapsulates the photodiode and the memory, in which the encapsulant blocks radiation from reaching the surface of the photodiode.