Patent · US Active

Data processing system with secure key generation

US9967094B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 2015
Grant dateMay 8, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2029/4402
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of secure key generation includes writing a predetermined write pattern to a particular address of volatile memory, wherein the volatile memory includes bit lines; reading data from the particular address while applying a first set of operating variables to the volatile memory, subsequent to the writing; sensing a first plurality of timing mismatches during the reading, wherein sense amplifiers are coupled to the bit lines, each latch of a plurality of latches is coupled between a respective pair of sense amplifiers, and each latch is configured to output a data value that indicates a respective timing mismatch between outputs of the respective pair of sense amplifiers; and determining an entropy ratio for the particular address, wherein the entropy ratio is equivalent to a ratio of a first number of latches that output a first data value to a second number of latches that output a second data value.

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