Abstract:
The generation of a chip identifier supporting at least one integrated circuit, which includes providing a cutout of at least one conductive path by cutting the chip, the position of the cutting line relative to the chip conditioning the identifier.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a method of fabricating an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip, the method comprising: designing an architecture of the integrated circuit comprising at least first and second standard cells implementing a same basic function; designing for the standard cell at least first and second cell layouts presenting random differences; designing an integrated circuit layout corresponding to the integrated circuit architecture; fabricating the integrated circuit according to the integrated circuit layout; using the first cell layout to implement the first standard cell in the integrated circuit layout; and using the second cell layout to implement the second standard cell in the integrated circuit layout. The method can be used for protection of an integrated circuit against reverse engineering.
Abstract:
A random signal generator uses a folded MOS transistor, whose drain-source current includes a random component, as an electronic noise source. The random signal generator generates a random binary signal from the random component. The invention may be applied, in particular, to smart cards.
Abstract:
A method for protecting a key implemented, by an electronic circuit, in a symmetrical algorithm for ciphering or deciphering a message, including the steps of: selecting in non-deterministic fashion a pair of different masks from a set of at least four different masks, the masks having the property of representing different bit combinations, at least by pairs of bits; executing the algorithm twice by applying, to the key or to the message, one of the masks of the selected pair at each execution; checking the consistency between the two executions.
Abstract:
The generation of an identification number of a chip supporting at least one integrated circuit, including the step of causing a cutting of at least one conductive section by cutting of the chip among several first conductive sections parallel to one another and perpendicular to at least one edge of the chip, the first sections being individually connected, by at least one of their ends, to the chip, and exhibiting different lengths, the position of the cutting line with respect to the chip edge conditioning the identification number.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit including a substrate of a semiconductor material and first metal portions of a first metallization level or of a first via level defining pixels of an image. The pixels are distributed in first pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is connected to the substrate, and in second pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is separated from the substrate by at least one insulating portion.
Abstract:
A method for protecting a key implemented, by an electronic circuit, in a symmetrical algorithm for ciphering or deciphering a message, including the steps of: selecting in non-deterministic fashion a pair of different masks from a set of at least four different masks, the masks having the property of representing different bit combinations, at least by pairs of bits; executing the algorithm twice by applying, to the key or to the message, one of the masks of the selected pair at each execution; checking the consistency between the two executions.
Abstract:
A method for protecting an integrated circuit. According to the method, the start-up of all, or part, of the circuit is determined in the presence of a key which is recorded in a non-volatile manner in the circuit, following the production thereof, and depends on at least one first parameter which is present in a non-volatile manner in the circuit after the production thereof.
Abstract:
A method for detecting an attack in an electronic microcircuit comprises: forming the microcircuit in a substrate, forming in the substrate a first well electrically isolated from the substrate, by a second well and an embedded well, forming in the first and second wells a data processing circuit comprising a ground terminal formed in the first well and a power supply terminal formed in the second well, and activating a detection signal when a voltage at the ground or power supply terminal of the data processing circuit crosses a threshold voltage.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit including a substrate of a semiconductor material and first metal portions of a first metallization level or of a first via level defining pixels of an image. The pixels are distributed in first pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is connected to the substrate, and in second pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is separated from the substrate by at least one insulating portion.