PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUSE USING A NOR TYPE MEMORY ARRAY

摘要

A method for identifying an unclonable chip uses hardware intrinsic keys and authentication responses employing intrinsic parameters of memory cells invariant and unique to the unclonable chip, wherein intrinsic parameters that characterize the chip can extend over its lifetime. The memory cells having a charge-trap behavior are arranged in an NOR type memory array, allowing to create a physically unclonable fuse (PUF) generation using non-programmed memory cells, while stringing non-volatile bits in programmed memory cells. The non-volatile memory cell bits are used for error-correction-code (ECC) for the generated PUF. The invention can further include a public identification using non-volatile bits, allowing hand shaking authentication using computer with dynamic challenge.

主权项

1. A method for providing an unclonable identifying chip comprising:
forming a memory array consisting of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of said memory cells having one transistor, wherein said transistors in each row are coupled to a wordline, and said transistors in each column are coupled to a bitline and to a source line; activating said wordline and forcing said bitline to a predetermined voltage, floating said bitline followed by precharging said bitline through said transistor coupling to said activated wordline, and sensing said bitline voltage, wherein random binary strings are generated by sensing results of said bitline voltage.