Quantum Tunnelling Cell Arrays for Unclonable Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for device authentication, such as those using non-volatile memory, are vulnerable to invasive attacks and difficult to scale down for smaller devices, and classical Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) face challenges in environmental invariance and tamper resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing arrays of individually addressable cells with electronic components having quantum tunnelling barriers, where a potential difference is applied to enable charge carrier tunnelling and compare electrical signals to determine a unique identifier value for the device, leveraging the nanoscale uniqueness and tamper resistance of quantum tunnelling currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-volatile memory is used for cryptographic key storage, then authentication capability is provided, but the device becomes vulnerable to invasive attacks and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidvulnerability to invasive attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts manufacturing variability, which is typically a harmful factor causing device defects, into a beneficial feature by using it to create unique quantum tunnelling characteristics for each device. This enables the creation of unclonable identifiers that enhance security rather than degrade performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical memory storage systems with a quantum mechanical system based on quantum tunnelling through thin barriers. This substitution provides inherent security because the quantum tunnelling characteristics are fundamentally different from classical storage mechanisms and cannot be easily replicated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If classical PUFs are used for device identification, then authentication is enabled, but scaling to smaller devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identificationVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the identification system by moving from macroscopic classical PUF structures to nanoscale quantum tunnelling barriers. By reducing the barrier thickness to a few nanometers, the system achieves device identification functionality at much smaller dimensions, enabling scaling to modern miniaturized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If quantum tunnelling barriers are made thinner to enhance uniqueness, then identifier distinctiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier uniquenessVSAvoidnanoscale manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service by using the naturally occurring quantum tunnelling effect and inherent manufacturing variations to automatically generate unique identifiers. The system does not require complex external programming or calibration - the unique quantum characteristics emerge naturally from the physical structure and manufacturing process variations, simplifying the overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach provides a robust and environmentally invariant method for device authentication, resistant to tampering and scalable for smaller devices, as the quantum tunnelling current is highly sensitive to the unique nanostructure of the tunnelling barriers, making it difficult to replicate or tamper with.

Implementation Method 1

applying a potential difference across the electronic component of the cell, the potential difference sufficient to enable tunnelling of charge carriers through the quantum tunnelling barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuantum tunnelling:

Data Source

PatentUS12072967B2Device identification with quantum tunnelling currents

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 CRYPTO QUANTIQUE LTD

AI summary

A method is disclosed for determining an identifier value of a device, the device comprising an array of individually addressable cells, each cell comprising an electronic component having a quantum tunnelling barrier. The method comprises, for each cell of a selection of the individually addressable cells of the array, applying a potential difference across the electronic component of the cell, the potential difference sufficient to enable tunnelling of charge carriers through the quantum tunnelling barrier. The method further comprises, for each cell of a selection of the individually addressable cells of the array, comparing an electrical signal representative of a quantum tunnelling current through the quantum tunnelling barrier with a reference electrical signal. The method further comprises, for each cell of a selection of the individually addressable cells of the array determining, from the comparison, an identifier value for the cell. The method further comprises determining, from the identifier values of each cell of the selection of individually addressable cells, an identifier value for the device. Devices, apparatuses, controllers, and computer-readable media are also described.