MOS Threshold Array Circuit for Power Glitch Amplitude Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power glitch signal detection circuits are unable to detect power glitches with specific amplitudes and lack sensitivity, making them poorly applicable for securing sensitive data in security chips, which are vulnerable to fault attacks.
Innovation Solution
A power glitch signal detection circuit utilizing multiple MOS transistors with different threshold voltages, a voltage sampling module, and a switch array to detect power glitches on both power supply and ground voltages, enhancing sensitivity and applicability while reducing device overhead and chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple power glitch signal detection circuit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of power glitch amplitude detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection circuit is segmented into multiple parallel detection units, each responsible for detecting power glitches within a specific amplitude range. Each unit contains a comparator with dedicated reference voltages, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision across different amplitude levels without requiring a single complex circuit design. The segmentation of detection ranges enables precise measurement while keeping individual unit complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit uses multiple comparators with different reference voltage parameters to detect power glitches of different amplitudes. By changing the reference voltage parameter for each comparator, the system can precisely detect and distinguish power glitch amplitudes ranging from small to large variations. This parameter-based approach allows precise measurement without increasing overall circuit complexity, as each comparator remains a simple component.
2Device complexity
If a fixed detection range is used in the power glitch signal detection circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different power glitch amplitudes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection circuit achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple comparators that can detect power glitches across a wide range of amplitudes. Each comparator is configured with different reference voltages, enabling the same basic circuit structure to serve multiple detection purposes. This universal design allows the circuit to adapt to different power glitch scenarios without requiring separate detection circuits for each amplitude range.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit implements dynamic detection capability through multiple comparators that can respond to different amplitude levels of power glitches. The system dynamically selects which comparator responds based on the actual power glitch amplitude, allowing the detection range to adapt to varying attack conditions. This dynamic approach enhances versatility while maintaining relatively simple circuit complexity, as the adaptability is achieved through parallel simple comparators rather than a single complex adjustable circuit.
3Measurement precision
If multiple comparators with different reference voltages are used, then the measurement precision of power glitch amplitude is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection task is segmented into multiple parallel comparator units, each handling a specific amplitude range with dedicated reference voltages. This segmentation allows precise measurement of power glitch amplitudes by dividing the detection space into manageable segments. The overall complexity is managed by keeping each segment (comparator unit) simple and independent, rather than creating one complex adjustable comparator.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple simple comparator circuits are merged into a single detection system that works together to provide comprehensive amplitude detection. Each comparator contributes its detection capability for a specific voltage range, and their combined output provides precise measurement across the full amplitude spectrum. This merging approach achieves high measurement precision while maintaining relatively low overall complexity, as the complexity is distributed across simple parallel units rather than concentrated in a single complex component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively detects power glitches with specific amplitudes, improving the robustness and safety of security chips by enhancing sensitivity and applicability, and reducing costs and chip area.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage sampling module configured to acquire and output a sampling voltage of a power supply voltage
Implementation Method 2
multiple MOS transistors with different threshold voltages, a voltage sampling module, and a switch array to detect power glitches
Data Source
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AI summary
A power glitch signal detection circuit, a security chip and an electronic apparatus are disclosed. The power glitch signal detection circuit includes: a voltage sampling module configured to acquire and output a sampled voltage of a power supply voltage; a detection unit array, including multiple metal oxide semiconductors MOS transistors with various threshold voltages, wherein first terminals of the multiple MOS transistors are connected to the sampled voltages, and second terminals of the multiple MOS transistors are connected to the power supply voltage; a switch array, including multiple switches corresponding to the multiple MOS transistors; and a signal generation circuit, wherein drain terminals of the multiple MOS transistors are connected to the signal generation circuit through the multiple switches respectively. The power glitch signal detection circuit could detect a power glitch on the power supply voltage or the ground voltage, and the power glitch signal detection circuit has the advantages of strong applicability, high sensitivity, low cost and strong portability.