Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company, ltd. (20240202374). METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING A PUF GENERATOR simplified abstract

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING A PUF GENERATOR

Organization Name

taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company, ltd.

Inventor(s)

Shih-Lien Linus Lu of Hsinchu (TW)

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING A PUF GENERATOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240202374 titled 'METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING A PUF GENERATOR

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes methods and apparatus for protecting a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator. It includes a PUF cell array, a PUF control circuit, and a reset circuit to safeguard the PUF generator from voltage tampering events.

  • The PUF generator consists of a PUF cell array with configurable bit cells that can be set into different stable states.
  • A PUF control circuit accesses the bit cells to determine their stable states upon power-up and generates a unique PUF signature based on this information.
  • A reset circuit is in place to reset the bit cells to their initialization data if a voltage tampering event is detected in the supply voltage of the PUF cell array.

Key Features and Innovation:

  • PUF generator with configurable bit cells for enhanced security.
  • PUF control circuit for generating unique PUF signatures.
  • Reset circuit for protecting against voltage tampering events.

Potential Applications: This technology can be applied in secure authentication systems, anti-counterfeiting measures, and tamper-resistant devices.

Problems Solved: The technology addresses the need for secure and reliable PUF generators that can withstand voltage tampering events.

Benefits:

  • Enhanced security through unique PUF signatures.
  • Protection against supply voltage tampering events.
  • Reliable authentication and anti-counterfeiting measures.

Commercial Applications: Potential commercial applications include secure access control systems, secure payment systems, and secure data storage solutions.

Prior Art: Prior research in the field of physical unclonable functions and secure authentication systems can provide valuable insights into similar technologies.

Frequently Updated Research: Stay updated on advancements in PUF technology, secure authentication systems, and anti-tampering measures to enhance the effectiveness of this innovation.

Questions about Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) Generator: 1. How does the PUF control circuit determine the stable states of the bit cells? 2. What are the potential implications of using PUF technology in IoT devices?


Original Abstract Submitted

methods and apparatus for protecting a physical unclonable function (puf) generator are disclosed. in one example, a puf generator is disclosed. the puf generator includes a puf cell array, a puf control circuit and a reset circuit. the puf cell array comprises a plurality of bit cells. each of the plurality of bit cells is configurable into at least two different stable states. the puf control circuit is coupled to the puf cell array and is configured to access each of the plurality of bit cells to determine one of the at least two different stable states upon a power-up of the plurality of bit cells, and generate a puf signature based on the determined stable states of the plurality of bit cells. the reset circuit is coupled to the puf cell array and is configured to set the plurality of bit cells to represent their initialization data based on an indication of a voltage tempering event of a supply voltage of the puf cell array.