Smart Card Laser Attack Detector Chain Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart cards lack comprehensive protection against external laser attacks, as existing detectors like light detectors and active shield removal detectors have limitations in detecting laser-based hacking attempts, particularly in areas without coverage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a laser attack detector with a chain configuration of blocks that change detection values in response to external laser attacks, generating a hacking detection signal to trigger a reset operation and protect the smart card's CPU, memory, and TX/RX interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light detector is used to detect external attacks, then detection capability is improved, but coverage area is limited and cannot detect laser attacks in uncovered areas
Solution Approach 1:
The laser attack detector is divided into multiple chain blocks (first chain block, second chain block, third chain block) that are distributed across different areas of the smart card. Each chain block independently monitors its local region, collectively providing full-area coverage and enabling detection of laser attacks from any position on the card.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector transitions from a single-point detection approach to a distributed multi-point detection system. By placing chain blocks at different spatial locations and associating them with different function blocks, the system creates a two-dimensional detection network that covers the entire smart card surface, overcoming the limitation of single-location detectors.
2Reliability
If existing detectors (light detector, inner insulation removal detector, active shield removal detector) are used, then some attack types are detected, but laser attacks remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The laser attack detector is designed with multi-functional capability to detect various types of external attacks including laser attacks, light attacks, and other abnormal conditions. Each chain block can detect attacks on associated function blocks (CPU, memory, TX/RX interface) and generate reset signals for different attack scenarios, making the detector universally applicable against multiple threat types.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain blocks serve as intermediary detection units between the external attack vectors and the central processing unit. Each chain block monitors its associated function block and mediates the detection process by generating appropriate reset signals when attacks are detected, bridging the gap between external threats and system-level protection.
3Reliability
If the smart card resets circuits in response to detection signals, then information security is improved, but operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary protective measures by pre-positioning laser attack detectors and chain blocks across all critical function blocks before attacks occur. This preventive architecture ensures that attacks are detected and responded to immediately upon occurrence, minimizing operational interruption time while maintaining continuous information security protection.
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
The solution effectively detects and responds to external laser attacks across the entire smart card area, preventing information leakage or modification by resetting affected circuits, thereby enhancing security against laser-based hacking attempts.
Implementation Method 1
a laser attack detector configured to detect an external laser attack on at least one of the CPU, the memory, and/or the TX/RX interface
Data Source
AI summary
A smart card includes a plurality of function blocks, and a laser attack detector configured to detect an external laser attack on at least one of the plurality of function blocks. The laser attack detector may include a plurality of chain blocks connected in a chain configuration, and each of the chain blocks is configured to change the level of a detection value stored therein in response to an external laser attack.