ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED USE

摘要

An electronic device comprising a clock unit and a processing unit connected to the clock unit is described. The clock unit may deliver an output clock signal for operating the processing unit in accordance with the output clock signal. The clock unit may have: a normal mode in which the output clock signal has a low amount of jitter and a normal clock rate to enable normal use of the electronic device, and a failure analysis mode in which the output clock signal has a high amount of jitter or a reduced clock rate, or a high amount of jitter combined with a reduced clock rate, to impede the normal use. The clock unit may be protected against unauthorized re-activation of the normal mode. A method of protecting an electronic device against unauthorized use is also described.

主权项

1. An electronic device comprising a clock unit and a processing unit connected to said clock unit, said clock unit arranged to deliver an output clock signal, said processing unit arranged to be clocked by said output clock signal, said clock unit having:
a normal mode in which said output clock signal has a low amount of jitter and a normal clock rate to enable normal use of said electronic device, and a failure analysis mode in which said output clock signal has a high amount of jitter or a reduced clock rate, or a high amount of jitter combined with a reduced clock rate, to impede said normal use; wherein said clock unit is protected against unauthorized re-activation of said normal mode.