Tamper detection line circuitry for use in authenticating an integrated circuit
View Patent ↗Provided is tamper detection line circuitry for an authentication integrated circuit for use in authenticating an integrated circuit. The tamper detection line circuitry includes a source of pseudo-random bits, and an XOR gate with two inputs and an output in signal communication with flash memory erase and reset circuits. A complete erasure of the memory is triggered by a 0 from the XOR gate. The circuitry also includes first and second paths arranging the source and XOR gate in signal communication with each other, as well as a number of triggers connected to the respective paths, each trigger configured to detect a physical attack on the authentication integrated circuit, said triggers configured to pull a respective path to 0 if a physical attack is detected.
1. Tamper detection line circuitry for an authentication integrated circuit for use in authenticating an integrated circuit, the tamper detection line circuitry comprising:
a source of pseudo-random bits;
an XOR gate with two inputs, a first input being the pseudo-random bits from the source and a second input being the inverse of the pseudo-random bits from the source, and an output in signal communication with flash memory erase and reset circuits, where a complete erasure of the memory is triggered by a 0 from the XOR gate;
first and second paths arranging the source and XOR gate in signal communication with each other, the first input being arranged on the first path and the second input being arranged on the second path; and
a number of triggers connected to the respective paths, each trigger configured to detect a physical attack on the authentication integrated circuit, said triggers configured to pull a respective path to 0 if a physical attack is detected,
wherein wires of the first and second paths cover the circuitry of the source.
2. Tamper detection line circuitry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each trigger includes an nMOS transistor attached to GND.
3. Tamper detection line circuitry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second path has an inverter.
4. Tamper detection line circuitry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source includes a noise generator circuit.
5. Tamper detection line circuitry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source operates at a higher frequency than an operating frequency of the authentication integrated circuit.
6. Tamper detection line circuitry as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wires of first and second paths are positioned on a layer above the authentication integrated circuit.