Physically Unclonable Function Circuit for Counterfeit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security measures for preventing counterfeiting, such as banknotes, are not foolproof and lack cost-effectiveness, necessitating a practical and secure method using physically unclonable values (PUVs) for unique identification.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a physically unclonable function is designed, featuring a first portion that generates a random value based on input and a second portion that hashes this value, with the first portion covering the second to prevent access, and an external layer for security, making it difficult to manufacture a duplicate device with the same output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quantum mechanics schemes are used to generate unforgeable money, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but practicality and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive printed circuit boards with deliberately introduced manufacturing variations as disposable authentication elements. These cheap circuits generate unique electrical characteristics during normal manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for expensive quantum mechanical devices while maintaining security through the inherent unclonability of the manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex quantum mechanical systems with simple electrical circuit measurements. By measuring electrical properties (such as resistance, capacitance, or signal propagation time) of circuits with inherent manufacturing variations, the system achieves authentication without requiring quantum hardware, making the solution practical and cost-effective.
2Reliability
If special security features are continuously added to banknotes, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from complex physical security features and embeds it within the existing circuit board structure. By utilizing the circuit's inherent electrical characteristics and manufacturing variations, the authentication capability is integrated into the functional design rather than added as a separate security layer, maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the circuit board serve dual purposes: its primary functional role in the device and its secondary role as an authentication element. The same circuit that performs computational or control functions also generates unique electrical characteristics for authentication, eliminating the need for separate security features and reducing overall complexity.
3Reliability
If access to the random value generation portion is prevented by covering it, then security is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security function with the overall circuit board structure rather than using a separate coverable component. The authentication security arises from the inherent properties of the entire circuit board, eliminating the need for physical covering mechanisms and their associated assembly precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit provides a physically unclonable function. The circuit includes a first portion that provides a random value that varies according to an input to the circuit and a second portion that hashes the random value to provide an output value from the circuit. The first portion covers the second portion to prevent access to the random value. A breach of the first portions may alter operation of the first portion in a detectable manner. The first portion may cover a surface of a cube or parallelepiped. The first portion may be wrapped around a parallelepiped a plurality of times to cover each facet thereof from different directions. The output from the second portion may not intersect the first portion. The circuit may also include an external layer disposed on the first portion. The external layer may be glued to the first portion.