Integrated Circuit Tamper Detection Using Frequency Shift Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting integrated circuit (IC) intellectual property (IP) from tampering due to parametric variations, such as temperature and voltage changes, require significant resources and can alter device performance, necessitating a cost-effective and efficient anti-tampering strategy.
Innovation Solution
A system for detecting tampering in ICs using a reference signal insensitive to parametric variations and a signal sensitive to these variations, connected to a frequency performance circuit, with a compare circuit that asserts an output if the frequency performance exceeds a threshold, and a method for configuring a programmable logic device to measure and compare parametric shifts using parametric-stable and variant clock sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fully sealed metal housing or epoxy coating is used for physical security, then IP protection is improved, but device performance is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical/mechanical security measures (sealed housing, epoxy coating) with an electronic monitoring system that uses temperature and voltage sensors coupled to logic circuits. This substitution allows IP protection through electronic detection of parametric shifts without the performance-altering constraints of physical enclosures.
2Measurement precision
If elaborate temperature, voltage, and power sensors with dedicated monitoring circuitries are used, then detection effectiveness is improved, but resource requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring function with existing logic resources within the FPGAs themselves. Temperature and voltage sensors are coupled to logic circuits that utilize available logic resources to detect parametric shifts, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring circuitries and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPGAs monitor their own operating parameters (temperature and voltage) using sensors and logic circuits integrated within them. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for external monitoring systems and reduces resource requirements compared to elaborate separate monitoring setups.
3Reliability
If elaborate monitoring methods are implemented, then IP protection effectiveness is improved, but implementation effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The FPGAs autonomously monitor their own operating conditions using integrated sensors and logic circuits, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring systems. This self-service approach reduces implementation effort and cost while maintaining effective IP protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex physical monitoring infrastructure with integrated electronic sensing and logic circuits within the FPGAs, significantly reducing implementation complexity and cost while maintaining detection effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit is used to monitor and process parametric variations, such as temperature and voltage variations. An integrated circuit may include a temperature-sensitive oscillator circuit and a temperature-insensitive oscillator circuit, and frequency difference between the two sources may be monitored. In some embodiments, a parametric-insensitive reference oscillator is used as a reference to measure frequency performance of a second oscillator wherein the second oscillator performance is parametric-sensitive. The measured frequency performance is then compared to a tamper threshold and the result of the comparison is indicative of tampering.