Voltage Glitch Detection Circuit Using Reference Memory Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuit (IC) cards are vulnerable to data loss and security breaches due to voltage glitches, which can occur during data transfer, compromising the integrity and security of stored data.
Innovation Solution
A voltage glitch detection circuit is implemented, comprising a monitoring memory array, a sense amplifier, a reference data storage circuit, and a comparator circuit that compares the amplified data with stored reference data to detect voltage anomalies and generate a reset signal if a glitch is detected, thereby protecting the IC card's data from unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage glitch detection circuit is implemented to detect voltage anomalies and reset the CPU, then data security and integrity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection circuit is divided into separate functional modules: a monitoring sense amplifier for detecting voltage glitches, a data storage circuit for holding reference data, and a comparator circuit for comparing signals. This segmentation allows each module to perform its function independently, improving reliability while keeping individual module complexities manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference data is pre-stored in the data storage circuit during normal operation. When a voltage glitch occurs, the comparator circuit immediately compares the current output with the pre-stored reference data, enabling rapid detection and response without requiring complex real-time analysis circuits.
2Measurement precision
If the sense amplifier continuously monitors voltage to detect glitches, then detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring sense amplifier operates periodically rather than continuously, comparing the output signal with reference data at specific intervals or triggered by specific events. This periodic operation maintains detection precision for voltage glitches while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Voltage glitch detection circuits and methods thereof. The voltage glitch detection circuit may include a monitoring memory array including at least one memory cell storing reference data, a monitoring sense amplifier receiving stored reference data from the monitoring memory array, amplifying the received stored reference data in response to an operation control signal and outputting data based on the reference data, a data storage circuit including at least one latch to store the reference data and a comparator circuit receiving and comparing the data output from the monitoring sense amplifier and the stored reference data from the data storage circuit, and outputting a detection signal based on the comparison. The voltage glitch detection circuit may include a first storage unit configured to latch a first voltage, a second storage unit configured to latch a second voltage, a first comparator circuit first comparing the latched first voltage with a first reference voltage and outputting a first comparison result, a second compariator circuit second comparing the second voltage with a second reference voltage and outputting a second comparison result and a third comparator circuit third comparing the first and second comparison results and outputting a reset detection signal based on the third comparison.