Protective Logic Circuit Layout for IC Tamper Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits are vulnerable to manipulation and analysis attempts, particularly for security-relevant applications, as existing protection methods are inadequate against physical attacks, signal probing, and electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit design incorporating protective lines and logical gates forming a logic circuit, with a processing unit that applies test patterns to detect manipulation by verifying logic output values, utilizing CMOS technology and automated synthesis methods to enhance protection without increasing wiring complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective lines and logical gates are added to form a logic circuit for detecting manipulation, then security against manipulation attempts is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated circuit is divided into functional circuit parts and protective logic circuit parts. The protective lines and logical gates form a separate logic circuit that can be independently analyzed and tested, allowing security functions to be segmented from core functional circuits while maintaining overall system integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Test patterns are applied to the logic circuit in advance to verify its functionality and detect potential manipulation attempts before they can compromise the core circuit. The processing unit预先 verifies the logic output values to ensure security before normal operation proceeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If test patterns are applied and logic output values are verified to detect manipulation, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The logic circuit performs self-verification by processing test patterns and comparing logic output values against expected results. The processing unit automatically detects manipulation attempts through this self-testing mechanism, reducing the need for external verification and minimizing precision requirements for external testing equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20100001757A1Integrated circuit and method of protecting a circuit part to be protected of an integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2010.01.07 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A integrated circuit comprises a circuit part to be protected and protective lines located at least one wiring level of the integrated circuit. In addition, the integrated circuit comprises logical gates coupled to the protective lines, whereby a logic circuit is formed, and a processing unit implemented to detect a manipulation of the integrated circuit by applying test patterns to the logic circuit and verifying a logic output value of the logic circuit responsive to the test patterns.