IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,186,310
Granted Patent B2
US 10,186,310 · App. 15/724,435 · Granted Jan 22, 2019

DIMM DRAM memory chips quick optical data erasure after power cycling

Inventor: Goran Krilic (Zagreb, HR)
G11C11/409G11C11/4072G11C11/4074G11C11/4078G11C11/419H01L24/10H01L24/42H01L25/0657H01L2225/06506H01L2225/06562H01L2924/1436H01L2924/1437
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,186,310
App. No.
15/724,435
Granted
Jan 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Quick optical DRAM reset and data erasure can be performed during power down (power cycling) or chip cooling and removal from the socket. In this way cold boot attacks on DRAM secret information are prevented using simple and cheap embodiment. In wafer level packaging (chip scale package) die is usually on top (flip-chip) and metal interconnections does not interfere with penetrating light during chip illumination. IR light penetrates through chip's thin epoxy on top and it is absorbed in the die, near active layer, and generates electron-hole pairs. Electron-hole pairs diffuse to chip active layer and generate discharging photocurrents in PN junctions connected to DRAM capacitors.

Claims (18)

1. Dynamic Random Access Memory chip, battery voltage source, current pulse generator and near infrared light source wherein;

Dynamic Random Access Memory chip is optically illuminated by near infrared light source attached to chip package, wherein

aforementioned near infrared light source is activated by said battery voltage source cycling and current pulse generation by

aforementioned current pulse generator wherein

near infrared light penetrates through aforementioned Dynamic Random Access Memory chip's package, said near infrared light being absorbed in said Dynamic Random Access Memory chip's substrate and

generates charge carriers that diffuse to chip active layer and discharge said Dynamic Random Access Memory chip's data charge nodes and erase cryptographic key stored in said Dynamic Random Access Memory chip.

2. Invention from claim 1 wherein near infrared light source is near infrared LED and light guide film (LGF) containing side emitting micro near infrared LEDs and flat fiber (FF), wherein near infrared LED and light guide film and flat fiber emit infrared light perpendicularly to the Dynamic Random Access Memory chip surface.

3. Invention from claim 1 wherein current pulse generator contains voltage source, edge triggered monostable and resistor.

4. Invention from claim 1 wherein infrared light source is attached to chip package by integration to chip package.

5. Static Random Access Memory chip, battery voltage source, current pulse generator and near infrared light source wherein;

Static Random Access Memory chip is optically illuminated by near infrared light source attached to chip package, wherein

aforementioned near infrared light source is activated by said battery voltage source cycling and current pulse generation by

aforementioned current pulse generator wherein

near infrared light penetrates through aforementioned Static Random Access Memory chip's package,

said near infrared light being absorbed in said Static Random Access Memory chip's substrate and generates charge carriers that diffuse to chip active layer and discharge said Static Random Access Memory chip's data charge nodes and erase cryptographic key stored in said Static Random Access Memory chip.

6. Invention from claim 5 wherein near infrared light source is near infrared LED and light guide film (LGF) containing side emitting micro near infrared LEDs and flat fiber (FF), wherein near infrared LED and light guide film and flat fiber emit infrared light perpendicularly to the Static Random Access Memory chip surface.

7. Invention from claim 5 wherein current pulse generator contains voltage source, edge triggered monostable and resistor.

8. Invention from claim 5 wherein infrared light source is attached to chip package by integration to chip package.

Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 15404946 · Jan 12, 2017
Continuation In Part 15338426 · Oct 30, 2016
Provisional Application 62404215 · Oct 5, 2016
Provisional Application 62249225 · Oct 31, 2015
Provisional Application 62279750 · Jan 16, 2016
Related Publication 20180166116A1 · Jun 14, 2018