摘要 |
VLSI and ULSI devices like microprocessors and DRAM devices are prone to large scale theft from factories and warehouses. A proposed method of reducing the theft incorporates a small amount of non-volatile flash memory in these devices. The flash memory contains password, device serial number and user identification information. On power-up, the device initiates an encrypted password verification session through a standard interface. If the user supplied password fails, the device's operational ports (any data or control output buses) are tri-stated, thus making the device unusable. The device serial number and user identification information are useful in determining ownership of stolen devices when recovered.
|