Patent · US Active

Active ASIC intrusion shield

US9946899B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 14, 2016
Grant dateApr 17, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L23/528
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Provided are systems, methods, and apparatus for protecting an integrated circuit against invasive attacks and various forms of tampering. A defensive mechanism is an active physical security shield that includes an array of traces at a high metal of the integrated circuit, covering a high percentage of the surface area of that layer, and a collection of digital logic components that drive signals across the traces. The driving of the signals across the traces is done in an active manner such that a short, open, or stuck-at fault on any of the traces is detected within a very short period of time. The active security system is connected to or in communication with an alert response mechanism, such that a fault detected by the security system results in a signal being sent to the alert response mechanism.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.