IP Protection Framework Using Logic Encryption and Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The semiconductor industry faces challenges in protecting intellectual property rights due to the segmentation of SoC design and fabrication processes, leading to issues like IP overuse, piracy, and IC overproduction, which existing technologies such as logic obfuscation, hardware watermarking, and IC metering cannot fully address.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of logic encryption techniques, asymmetric and symmetric key encryption, and the use of a trusted authentication platform to obfuscate netlists, prevent unauthorized modifications, and ensure secure key transfer, along with attaching an IP digest for integrity verification, addresses the challenges of IP protection and IC overproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If logic obfuscation, hardware watermarking, and IC metering are used, then IP protection is provided, but they cannot fully address IP overuse, piracy, and IC overproduction in segmented SoC design and fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP protection mechanism into multiple independent components: encryption keys are divided between IP owners and SoC designers, authentication is separated into design phase and fabrication phase, and control is distributed across IP owners, SoC designers, and fabrication entities. This segmentation allows each party to have appropriate control without requiring full trust, directly addressing the limitations of prior art in segmented workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between IP owners and fabrication entities. The authentication platform verifies IP ownership and authorizes fabrication without requiring direct trust between parties. This intermediary system enables IP protection to adapt to segmented workflows by providing a neutral verification layer that prior art lacked.
2Productivity
If third party IP licenses are obtained and SoC design is outsourced to fabrication entities, then time-to-market and manufacturing costs are reduced, but control over IP use is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and encryption key distribution before the SoC design is outsourced to fabrication entities. IP owners encrypt their IP with keys that are pre-distributed to authorized parties. This preliminary setup maintains control over IP use while enabling efficient outsourcing, as the authentication framework is already in place before fabrication begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security measures to different parties in the workflow. IP owners receive encryption keys for their IP, SoC designers receive keys for integrating multiple IPs, and fabrication entities receive authentication credentials for manufacturing. This localized assignment of security responsibilities allows each party to operate efficiently while maintaining appropriate control, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If fabrication facilities are built and maintained in-house, then control over fabrication is maintained, but costs increase to several billions of dollars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication platform that enables in-house control over fabrication without requiring ownership of physical fabrication facilities. The platform verifies IP ownership and authorizes fabrication processes, allowing companies to maintain control through digital authentication rather than physical infrastructure. This eliminates the need for billion-dollar fabrication facilities while preserving control over the fabrication process.
4Productivity
If IP is provided to SoC designers and fabrication entities, then design and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but IP piracy and overproduction become possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state of IP from unencrypted to encrypted, and controls the decryption parameter through authentication. The IP is provided in encrypted form to SoC designers and fabrication entities, and the encryption key is released only after successful authentication. This parameter change (encrypted vs. unencrypted state) maintains productivity by allowing IP to be shared while preventing piracy and overproduction through controlled key release.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and integrated circuit architectures for assuring the protection of intellectual property between third party IP providers, system designers (e.g., SoC designers), fabrication entities, and assembly entities are provided. Novel design flows for the prevention of IP overuse, IP piracy, and IC overproduction are also provided. A comprehensive framework for forward trust between 3PIP vendors, SoC design houses, fabrication entities, and assembly entities can be achieved, and the unwanted modification of IP can be prevented.