Integrated Circuit Supply Voltage Management for Side Channel Attack Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits are vulnerable to side channel attacks, which analyze current consumption patterns to infer operations and data, and existing masking solutions are either difficult to implement or not economical.
Innovation Solution
The integrated circuit manages its supply voltage by selecting from a range of fixed values or varying it with a pulsed signal, making it harder to analyze electromagnetic emissions and thus enhancing security against side channel attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional logic gates are formed to mask current consumption, then security against side channel attacks is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage supply parameter from a fixed value to a variable value that fluctuates over time. By controlling the supply voltage to vary independently of the logic operations, the current consumption profile is masked without adding any logic gates or functional components to the circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the supply voltage, making it variable rather than static. The voltage is controlled to change over time according to a predetermined pattern that is independent of the logic operations, thereby dynamically masking the current consumption characteristics.
2Reliability
If additional logic gates are formed to mask current consumption, then security against side channel attacks is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves security enhancement by changing the electrical parameter (voltage) rather than adding physical components. This approach utilizes existing circuit infrastructure with a modified power supply control mechanism, avoiding additional manufacturing costs associated with extra logic gates.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage control mechanism serves dual purposes: it provides the necessary power to the logic circuit while simultaneously performing the security function of masking current consumption. The same voltage control infrastructure that regulates power also implements the anti-side-channel protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the supply voltage is varied with a pulsed signal, then electromagnetic emissions become harder to analyze, but power consumption variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic voltage variations using a pulsed signal with a predetermined frequency and pattern. These periodic fluctuations in supply voltage create corresponding variations in current consumption that mask the underlying logic operation patterns, making electromagnetic analysis difficult while maintaining controlled power delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
The supply voltage for a module of an integrated circuit managed to support protection against side channel attacks. Upon startup of the integrated circuit, one action from the following actions is selected in response to a command: supplying the module with the supply voltage having a fixed value that is selected from a plurality of predetermined values, or varying the value of the supply voltage in time with a pulsed signal.