Semiconductor Chip Tracking via 2D Barcode and Circuit-Based Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor device fabrication, tracking and testing of integrated circuits are inefficient due to variations in processing conditions, leading to repeated testing and challenges in authenticating and verifying the identity of semiconductor packages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 2D barcode on semiconductor packages that encodes a circuit-based identifier, associating it with performance data in a centralized data store, allowing for reduced testing frequency and providing anti-counterfeiting and verification functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeated testing is performed to account for processing variations, then reliability of performance verification is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased testing time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by encoding circuit-based identifiers into the semiconductor devices during fabrication and pre-storing their performance characteristics in a centralized database. This allows later verification to be performed by simply retrieving stored data and comparing it with current measurements, eliminating the need for repeated comprehensive testing while maintaining verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital replica of the device's circuit-based identifier and performance characteristics in a centralized database. This digital copy serves as a reference that can be quickly compared against physical measurements during verification, replacing time-consuming repeated testing with fast data retrieval and comparison operations
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive tracking information is stored for each device, then verification capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional marking and data management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking and verification data management functions from the physical device structure and places them in a separate centralized database. The device itself only carries a compact circuit-based identifier, while comprehensive performance characteristics, manufacturing data, and verification information are stored externally, reducing device complexity while maintaining verification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary between the physical semiconductor device and the verification process. This intermediary stores and manages all tracking information, acting as a bridge that connects device identifiers to comprehensive performance data without requiring the device itself to contain complex tracking mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for improved semiconductor inventory tracking, control, and testing are provided. The techniques include marking the semiconductor packaging with a 2-dimensional (“2D”) bar code that is stored in a data server. The data server associates the 2D barcode with performance data for the semiconductor, as well as with a “circuit-based identifier,” which comprises hard-wired electrical features that uniquely identify the semiconductor and that are embedded within the semiconductor. Associating the 2D bar code with chip performance reduces the number of times that a chip needs to be tested. Associating the 2D bar code with the circuit-based identifier provides certain functionality such as anti-counterfeiting functionality, device verification, and the like.