Magnetic tunnel junction based chip identification

摘要

The present invention provides integrated circuit chips having chip identification aspects. The chips include magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures, and more specifically, include permanent bit strings used for chip identification and/or authentication. Systems and processes for chip identification are also disclosed herein. The MTJ element structures provided herein can have a defined resistance profile such that the intrinsic variability of the MTJ element structure is used to encode and generate a bit string that becomes a fingerprint for the chip. In some embodiments, an oxygen treatment covering all or a selected portion of an array of MTJ elements can be used to create a mask or secret key that can be used and implemented to enhance chip identification.

主权项

1. A method for identifying a memory device, the method comprising:
reading a bit string from a chip in the device, wherein a portion or all of the permanent bit string comprises an oxygen mask; comparing the read bit string to a permanent bit string; and determining if the read bit string and permanent bit string are the same.