PUF Pulse Circuit Fingerprinting for Reliable Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital fingerprint generation methods, typically software-based, lack uniqueness and reliability, which is critical for ensuring data security in various scenarios such as device authentication and encryption.
Innovation Solution
A digital fingerprint generator utilizing a physical unclonable function (PUF) circuit with two pulse generation circuits of the same structure, but with manufacturing process errors resulting in unique output signals, converting sequence relationships into digital fingerprints, ensuring unpredictability and uniqueness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software-based digital fingerprint generation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and uniqueness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based fingerprint generation with a hardware circuit system that utilizes physical unclonable functions. The circuit includes pulse generation units, delay units, and detection units that physically generate fingerprints based on manufacturing variations, thereby improving reliability and uniqueness while maintaining ease of operation through automated hardware execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fingerprint generation from software algorithm execution to physical circuit response. By utilizing manufacturing process variations in hardware circuits (such as delay time differences in pulse generation paths), the system achieves higher reliability and uniqueness compared to software-based approaches.
2Reliability
If hardware circuit with manufacturing errors is used, then uniqueness is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts manufacturing errors and process variations, which are traditionally considered defects, into beneficial unique identifiers. The circuit design intentionally exploits these variations in pulse generation delays to create distinctive fingerprints for each device, transforming manufacturing imprecision into a security advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to manufacturing precision by not attempting to eliminate variations but rather to utilize them. The system measures and detects the natural variations in circuit behavior (such as propagation delays) to generate unique fingerprints, thereby converting the challenge of manufacturing precision into a source of uniqueness.
3Reliability
If complex pulse generation circuits are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fingerprint generation system into distinct functional modules: pulse generation units that create timing signals, delay units that introduce controlled time offsets, and detection units that compare the signals. This segmentation allows each module to perform a specific function reliably while keeping individual module complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the circuit components to serve multiple functions. For example, the pulse generation circuits not only generate timing signals but also inherently introduce unique delays based on manufacturing variations. The detection circuit both compares signals and generates the final fingerprint output, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a digital fingerprint generator. The digital fingerprint generator includes: a control circuit, configured to generate a control word; a first pulse generation circuit, connected to the control circuit, and configured to output a first pulse signal in response to the control word; a second pulse generation circuit, connected to the control circuit, having a same structure as the first pulse generation circuit, and configured to output a second pulse signal in response to the control word; and an output circuit, connected to the first pulse generation circuit and the second pulse generation circuit, and configured to output a digital fingerprint based on the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal according to a predetermined first rule.