Detecting misuse of intellectual property and counterfeit integrated circuits using thermal communication channels

Marsh, Carol (2011) Detecting misuse of intellectual property and counterfeit integrated circuits using thermal communication channels. EngD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to introduce a new method for identifying and detecting Intellectual Property (IP) in digital devices. The technology operates by inserting a small, low powered digital tag into a digital design; the tag is detected using temperature as a novel covert communications channel. The IP detection technology is a non-destructive, simple to use method which quickly detects the IP via the digital device package and thus requires no prior knowledge of the system. The method is intended to be used alongside existing IP protection methods.

This thesis focuses on four areas: proving that temperature can be used to communicate information by varying both the internal and external temperature of an electronic device; the development of an active tag using a range of internal digital heat generators; the design of a passive tag, using an internal heat sensor and an external heat source; the invention of a True Random Number Generator (TRNG) using the digital properties of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

This research was sponsored by Algotronix, a company which develops security IP Cores for use in FPGAs. Both the active tag and TRNG were incorporated into Algotronix’ award winning DesignTag product.

• Item Type: Thesis (EngD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Intellectual property protection, thermal communication, true random number generator, DesignTag, digital heat sensors, digital heat generators, watermarking, IP tagging, IP theft detection, counterfeit IC detection
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Soraghan, Professor John
• Date of Award: 2011
• Embargo Date: 24 May 2016
• Depositing User: Mrs Carol Marsh
• Unique ID: glathesis:2011-2617
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by Algotronix
• Date Deposited: 02 Jun 2011
• Last Modified: 24 May 2024 11:33
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/2617