NAND Page Buffer Latches for PUF Key Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices face challenges in providing a non-dedicated physical unclonable function that can be used for memory operations without causing degradation to the physical structure, especially with increasing densities and miniaturization, as dedicated SRAM arrays and ring oscillators consume valuable space and degrade over time.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a page buffer as a physical unclonable function and entropy source by initializing a set of latches to a set of initial values, allowing for secure key generation and entropy provision without degrading the page buffer, thus enabling it to be used for both memory operations and security functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated SRAM arrays and ring oscillators are used for physical unclonable functions, then security functionality is provided, but valuable space is consumed and degradation occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The page buffer is designed to serve dual purposes: traditional memory operations and physical unclonable function generation. By initializing latches within the page buffer to predetermined values, the same hardware component provides both data buffering and security key generation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated security hardware blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the physical unclonable function implementation with the existing page buffer structure. Instead of adding separate SRAM arrays or ring oscillators, the invention combines the PUF functionality into the page buffer's latch-based memory structure, integrating security functions into the existing memory architecture.
2Reliability
If dedicated SRAM arrays and ring oscillators are used for physical unclonable functions, then security functionality is provided, but the structure degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The page buffer is designed to serve dual purposes: traditional memory operations and physical unclonable function generation. By initializing latches within the page buffer to predetermined values, the same hardware component provides both data buffering and security key generation capabilities, eliminating the need for separate dedicated security hardware blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses transient, non-persistent latch states within the page buffer to generate PUF values. These latch initializations are performed temporarily during memory operations and do not require permanent structural changes or continuous power consumption, reducing long-term degradation compared to dedicated SRAM arrays.
3Area of stationary object
If page buffer is used for both memory operations and security functions, then space efficiency is improved, but functionality complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The page buffer is segmented into multiple latches that can be independently initialized to predetermined values. This segmentation allows specific latch groups to be dedicated to security functions while others handle memory operations, enabling functional separation within a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latches are pre-initialized to predetermined values before memory operations commence. This preliminary action establishes the physical unclonable function states in advance, allowing security key generation to occur without interfering with subsequent memory read/write operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a memory device may resolve a set of latches of a NAND page buffer to a set of initialized values. The memory device may obtain a NAND page buffer initialized data set from the set of initialized values of the set of latches. The memory device may generate a security key using the NAND page buffer initialized data set.