Memory Key Generation via ECC Error Location Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authenticating terminals based on unique identifiers are vulnerable to copying and alteration, as unique IDs can be randomly assigned and changed, compromising security.
Innovation Solution
A key generating method that utilizes error correcting codes (ECCs) to identify unique characteristics of a memory, such as a NAND flash memory, by detecting errors and generating a key based on the location of errors within the memory cells, ensuring that the key is unique and resistant to copying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a unique identifier is randomly assigned to an apparatus, then the assignment process is simple and fast, but the identifier can be copied or changed by software, compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device generates its own unique identifier based on its physical characteristics (error patterns) without external intervention. The identifier is inherently tied to the memory's physical structure, making it impossible to copy or change through software, thus resolving the security issue while maintaining simple assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based identifier assignment with a hardware-based physical characteristic extraction process. By using error correcting codes and analyzing physical error patterns in memory cells, the system derives a unique identifier from the memory's physical state rather than assigning a random value, eliminating copyability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a unique identifier is randomly assigned, then the system is easy to implement, but the identifier lacks uniqueness and can be replicated
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device autonomously generates its own unique identifier by analyzing its inherent error patterns. This self-generated identifier is physically bound to the memory device, ensuring uniqueness and preventing replication while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms random data into a unique identifier by changing the parameter space through error pattern analysis. By mapping physical error characteristics (which are unique to each memory device) into the identifier space, the system achieves guaranteed uniqueness while keeping the implementation straightforward.
3Reliability
If error correcting codes are used to generate a unique key, then the key becomes secure and unique to the memory, but the key generation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key generation complexity from the overall system by performing the computationally intensive ECC operations during memory manufacturing. The extracted key is stored in a secure area and used for authentication without requiring complex key generation during operation, thus achieving security while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The key generation process is performed in advance during memory manufacturing before the memory is deployed. By pre-computing and storing the unique key in a secure area during fabrication, the system avoids complex key generation during operation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
A key generating method includes obtaining a first error correcting code (ECC) for original data, obtaining read data from a cell array of a memory comprising the original data, generating a second ECC for the read data, obtaining a location of a cell in which an error occurs from the cell array of the memory in response to the second ECC being different from the first ECC, and generating a key for the memory based on the location of the cell in which the error occurs.