PUF Circuit Mapping for Reliable Key Generation Without ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems lack efficient methods to generate unique authentication keys based on hardware variations, leading to potential vulnerabilities and increased manufacturing costs due to the use of additional components like analog-digital converters.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a controller and PUF block that generates authentication keys by comparing PUF cell data pairs with reference data pairs, utilizing a mapping relationship between PUF cell groups with predetermined mismatch distances, without requiring an additional analog-digital converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components like analog-digital converters are used to generate authentication keys, then key generation capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the analog-digital converter component from the authentication key generation system. Instead of using external conversion components, the invention utilizes the inherent analog characteristics of PUF cells directly to generate digital authentication keys, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining key generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The PUF cells perform self-service by directly generating authentication keys based on their inherent physical variations. The cells' natural analog characteristics (threshold voltage variations) are exploited to produce unique digital outputs without requiring external conversion assistance, making the system simpler and more self-sufficient
2Reliability
If additional components like analog-digital converters are used to generate authentication keys, then key generation capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the analog-digital converter component from the manufacturing process. By utilizing the PUF cells' inherent digital output capability based on their physical variations, the system eliminates the need for additional conversion components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining authentication key generation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention leverages the naturally occurring, inexpensive physical variations in PUF cells during standard semiconductor manufacturing. These inherent variations serve as the basis for authentication keys without requiring expensive additional components or specialized manufacturing processes
3Productivity
If PUF cell data pairs with predetermined mismatch distances are used, then key generation speed is improved, but bit errors may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mismatch distance parameter between paired PUF cells to achieve the best balance between key generation speed and bit error rate. By carefully selecting and adjusting this parameter, the system achieves rapid key generation while maintaining low error rates through optimal parameter configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit for a physically unclonable function (PUF) includes a controller configured to generate a control signal with reference to an address table, the address table representing a first mapping relationship between a first PUF cell group and a second PUF cell group having a first predetermined mismatch distance in relation to a PUF cell characteristic, and representing a second mapping relationship between a third PUF cell group and a fourth PUF cell group having a second predetermined mismatch distance in relation to the PUF cell characteristic; and a PUF block configured to provide PUF cell data groups in accordance with the first and second mapping relationships to the controller, in response to the control signal. The controller may be configured to generate an authentication key by respectively comparing the PUF cell data groups with reference data groups.