ANTI-TAMPER ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

• US 20080073491A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Dalzell, William J., Tucker, James L., Fleischman, Scott G., Warrensford, Kara L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,671,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/214DC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31708 Analysis of signal quality G01R31/31901 takes precedence; measuring frequencies or analysing frequency spectra per se G01R23/00; measuring non-linear distortion per se G01R23/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31728 Optical aspects, e.g. opto-electronics used for testing, optical signal transmission for testing electronic circuits, electro-optic components to be tested in combination with electronic circuits, measuring light emission of digital circuits probes having electro-optic elements G01R1/071; electro-optic sampling for oscilloscopes G01R13/347; contactless testing of individual semiconductor devices by optical means G01R31/2656
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0274 Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0275 Security details, e.g. tampering prevention or detection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10151 Sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof

Abstract

An anti-tamper enclosure system comprises an optical medium; at least one photosensitive sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a light wave transmitted in the optical medium; at least one logic circuit coupled to the at least one photosensitive sensor, the at least one logic circuit configured to initiate security measures when the at least one characteristic of the light wave changes; an enclosure coupled to the optical medium and configured to enclose the optical medium, the at least one photosensitive sensor, and the at least one logic circuit; and a plurality of attachment posts configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board, wherein at least one of the plurality of attachment posts is also coupled to the optical medium.

Claims

1. An anti-tamper enclosure system comprising:

an optical medium;

at least one photosensitive sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a light wave transmitted in the optical medium;

at least one logic circuit coupled to the at least one photosensitive sensor, the at least one logic circuit configured to initiate security measures when the at least one characteristic of the light wave changes;

an enclosure coupled to the optical medium and configured to enclose the optical medium, the at least one photosensitive sensor, and the at least one logic circuit; and

a plurality of attachment posts configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board, wherein at least one of the plurality of attachment posts is also coupled to the optical medium.

2. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the optical medium is arranged in one of a mesh pattern, a checkered pattern, and a coil pattern.

3. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the at least one logic circuit is configured to compare a measurement of the at least one characteristic of the light wave to an expected value of the at least one characteristic of the light wave to determine if the at least one characteristic has changed.

4. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the optical medium is attached to at least one attachment post using a bonding material.

5. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium comprises a flange configured to slide between a section of the optical medium and the enclosure.

6. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium includes a cavity through which a portion of the optical medium is threaded.

7. The anti-tamper system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium comprises a cavity and an insert post configured to fit inside the cavity, wherein the optical medium is coupled to the insert post.

8. A system, comprising:

at least one component to be protected;

a printed circuit board, the at least one component attached to the printed circuit board; and

an anti-tamper enclosure system coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein the anti-tamper enclosure system comprises;

an optical medium;

at least one photosensitive sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a light wave transmitted in the optical medium;

at least one logic circuit coupled to the at least one photosensitive sensor, the at least one logic circuit configured to initiate security measures when the at least one characteristic of the light wave changes;

an enclosure coupled to the optical medium and configured to enclose the at least one component; and

a plurality of attachment posts coupled to the circuit board, wherein at least one of the plurality of attachment posts is coupled to the optical medium.

9. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the optical medium is arranged in one of a mesh pattern, a checkered pattern, and a coil pattern.

10. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the at least one logic circuit is configured to compare a measurement of the at least one characteristic of the light wave to an expected value of the at least one characteristic of the light wave to determine if the at least one characteristic has changed.

11. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the optical medium is attached to at least one attachment post using a bonding material.

12. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium comprises a flange configured to slide between a section of the optical medium and the enclosure.

13. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium includes a cavity through which a portion of the optical medium is threaded.

14. The anti-tamper system of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment post coupled to the optical medium comprises a cavity and an insert post configured to fit inside the cavity, wherein the optical medium is coupled to the insert post.

15. A method of protecting a component on a circuit board, the method comprising:

coupling an optical medium to an enclosure;

coupling the optical medium to at least one attachment post;

configuring a logic unit to initiate security measures when at least one characteristic of a light wave in the optical medium changes;

coupling the at least one attachment post to the circuit board; and

coupling the enclosure to the circuit board.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the optical medium to at least one attachment post comprises:

coupling the optical medium to an insert post of the at least one attachment post; and

inserting the insert post into a cavity of the at least one attachment post.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the optical medium to at least one attachment post comprises threading a section of the optical medium through a cavity in the at least one attachment post.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the optical medium to at least one attachment post comprises coupling the optical medium to the at least one attachment post using a bonding material.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the optical medium to the at least one attachment post comprises sliding a flange of the attachment post between a section of the optical medium and the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the optical medium to the enclosure comprises one of:

coupling the optical medium to an interior surface of the enclosure; and

embedding at least a portion of the optical medium inside the enclosure.