PUF hardware arrangement for increased throughput
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a method for authenticating distributed peripherals on a computer network using an array of physically unclonable functions (PUF). As each PUF is unique, each PUF is able to generate a plurality of challenge response pairs that are unique to that PUF. The integrated circuits of the PUF comprise a plurality of cells, where a parameter (such as a voltage) of each cell may be measured (possibly averaged over many readings). The plurality of cells in the PUF may be arranged in a one, two or more dimensional matrix. A protocol based on an addressable PUF generator (APG) allows the protection of a network having distributed peripherals such as Internet of things (IoT), smart phones, lap top and desk top computers, or ID cards. This protection does not require the storage of a database of passwords, or secret keys, and thereby is immune to traditional database hacking attacks.
1. A method for a host and an addressable physically unclonable function generator (H/APG) in a plurality of H/APGs to generate a password and authenticate a distributed peripheral, comprising the steps of:
determining, by a matrix controller, a first horizontal axis and a first vertical axis in a matrix of a plurality of H/APGs based on a user identification of a distributed peripheral;
addressing, by the matrix controller, a first H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs using the first horizontal axis and the first vertical axis;
generating, by the first H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs, a first password configured to reveal a challenge;
transmitting the first password to the peripheral device;
receiving, by the matrix controller, from the distributed peripheral the user identification and a second password;
determining, by the matrix controller, a second horizontal axis and a second vertical axis in the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs based on the user identification;
addressing, by the matrix controller, a second H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs using the second horizontal axis and the second vertical axis;
generating, by the second H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs, a response;
revealing by the second H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs, the challenge from the second password;
comparing the challenge to the response; and
upon determining the challenge matches the response within a predetermined statistical limit, authenticating the distributed peripheral.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user identification and/or the password are permanently stored on the distributed peripheral and not permanently stored anywhere else.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs comprises an array of PUFs and each array of PUFs comprises a memory array configured to generate a plurality of challenge response pairs that are unique to each PUF due to manufacturing variations in the PUF as compared to other PUFs.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each H/APG in the plurality of H/APGs comprises an array of PUFs and each PUF comprises an electronic component configured to generate a plurality of challenge response pairs that are unique to the electronic component due to manufacturing variations in the electronic component as compared to other electronic component.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributed peripheral is a connected device in an Internet of Things.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs is configured so that two or more H/APGs in the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs may generate passwords and authenticate distributed peripherals at overlapping times.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs is configured so that two or more H/APGs in the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs may generate passwords or authenticate distributed peripherals at overlapping times.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matrix of the plurality of H/APGs comprises three or more dimensions.