Trigger Engine for Hardware Trojan Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardware trojans in integrated circuits are difficult to detect during production testing, as they can be activated only after a predetermined period, making them hard to identify using conventional methods, and can compromise security by capturing secret data or disrupting circuit operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a trigger engine and control logic to actively detect hardware trojans by generating a stimulus, such as electromagnetic energy, to activate and then identify them based on bit-error rate changes during a built-in self-test of the circuit's high-speed input/output interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional production testing methods are used, then testing simplicity is maintained, but hardware trojans with activation delays cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing trojan activation attempts during the production testing phase itself, rather than waiting for field operation. The BIST circuit proactively generates trigger patterns and applies stimuli to activate trojans before the product leaves the factory, ensuring detection occurs while the device is still under controlled testing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a BIST circuit as an intermediary testing system that mediates between the production test equipment and the target circuit. This BIST circuit contains a trigger engine that generates specific patterns and a detector that analyzes responses, serving as a specialized intermediary tool designed specifically for trojan detection without requiring complex external testing equipment.
2Reliability
If the circuit operates normally without testing, then operational simplicity is maintained, but trojans remain undetected until activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trojan detection function with the existing BIST infrastructure of the HSIO interface. The trigger engine and detector are integrated into the same circuit block that performs normal self-testing, combining multiple functions (normal BIST operation and trojan detection) into a unified system that operates during the same testing window without requiring separate dedicated testing resources.
3Measurement precision
If a trigger engine is added to generate stimuli, then trojan activation capability is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BIST circuit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both normal self-testing purposes and specialized trojan detection functions. The trigger engine can generate various types of stimuli patterns that serve multiple testing objectives, and the detector analyzes responses for both functional correctness and trojan activation indicators, making the added complexity serve multiple purposes rather than a single specialized function.
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
Enables the detection of hardware trojans before they become active, thereby preventing malicious attacks, and effectively identifies trojans that were previously undetectable during conventional testing phases.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulus may include electromagnetic energy generated based on shifting the bit values through the flip-flops
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing operation of a circuit includes activating a trigger engine, receiving signals from a target circuit, and detecting a hardware trojan based on the signals. The trigger engine may generate a stimulus to activate the hardware trojan, and the target circuit may generate the received signals when the stimulus is generated. The trigger engine may be a scan chain which performs a circular scan by shifting bit values through a series of flip-flops including a feedback path. The target circuit may be various types of circuits, including but not limited to a high-speed input/output interface. The hardware trojan may be detected based on bit-error rate information corresponding to the signals output from the target circuit.