On-Chip Ring Oscillator Heating for Startup Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature-sensitive circuits in integrated circuits, such as ring oscillators, experience unpredictable behavior due to rapid temperature changes at startup, leading to unreliable entropy generation and PUF values, which compromises information security. Existing solutions like thermostat-controlled enclosures and modifying thermal properties are costly, unstable, or ineffective.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit system with a ring oscillator that includes a heater and temperature sensor, using logic gates to generate controlled heat and measure temperature, stabilizing the ring oscillator at predefined temperatures during startup, thereby stabilizing its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thermostat controlled enclosures are used to stabilize temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing temperature stabilization only in the specific region where the ring oscillator is located, rather than controlling the entire chip or system temperature. This is achieved through a localized heater structure positioned adjacent to the ring oscillator and a dedicated temperature sensor coupled to the oscillator circuit, providing targeted thermal control that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining temperature stability for the critical component.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature stabilization system is segmented into independent functional modules: a temperature sensor that monitors the ring oscillator temperature, a control circuit that processes temperature data, and a heater that provides targeted heating. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and integrated only where needed, reducing the overall device size compared to a monolithic thermostat enclosure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thermostat controlled enclosures are used to stabilize temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but response time becomes too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature measurement and control actions during the startup phase before the ring oscillator begins its operational oscillation. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the oscillator temperature from startup, and the control circuit activates the heater in advance to prevent temperature deviations before they affect oscillation frequency, enabling faster response compared to traditional thermostats that react after temperature drift occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the temperature sensor continuously monitors the ring oscillator temperature and feeds this information to the control circuit, which adjusts the heater activation accordingly. This real-time feedback mechanism enables rapid response to temperature changes, correcting deviations before they significantly impact oscillation frequency, thereby achieving both temperature stability and fast response time.
3Reliability
If existing temperature stabilization methods are used, then some temperature control is achieved, but they cannot handle multiple unpredictable oscillation frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the heater activation based on real-time temperature measurements during startup and operation. The control circuit continuously monitors the ring oscillator frequency and corresponding temperature, and dynamically modifies heater control signals to maintain the oscillator at a target frequency regardless of initial temperature conditions or environmental variations, enabling the system to adapt to multiple oscillation frequencies and maintain PUF value reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter dynamically during startup and operation to optimize ring oscillator performance. By measuring the actual oscillation frequency and corresponding temperature, and adjusting the heater activation to achieve a target frequency range, the system adapts to varying initial conditions and environmental factors, ensuring reliable PUF value generation across multiple possible oscillation frequencies.
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 solution provides effective temperature stabilization directly on the circuit, reducing large and variable temperature differences, and is cost-effective and efficient, improving the reliability of entropy generation and PUF values for enhanced information security.
Implementation Method 1
generating a controlled amount of heat using a second plurality of logic gates to implement a heater
Implementation Method 2
measuring a temperature of the ring oscillator using the second plurality of logic gates to implement a temperature sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
An integrated circuit system is provided. The system includes a ring oscillator including a first plurality of logic gates connected in a ring configuration. The system also includes a second plurality of logic gates used to implement a heater to generate a controlled amount of heat. The second plurality of logic gates is also used to implement a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the ring oscillator. The system further includes one or more logic circuits coupled to the heater and the temperature sensor. The one or more logic circuits are used to control the heater to heat the ring oscillator only until the temperature of the ring oscillator is one of a plurality of predefined temperatures, during or after which the ring oscillator starts and operate.