Data protection by detection of intrusion into electronic assemblies

• US 5,159,629 A
• Filed: 04/29/1991
• Issued: 10/27/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Weingart, Steve H., Double, Glen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Application Number:
  US07/693,991
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3, 380/4, 380/52, 380/59, 307/202.1, 206/807, 357/72, 357/74, 357/75, 357/84, 365/59, 365/61, 365/53
• US Class Current: 713/194
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/87 by means of encapsulation, e.g. for integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/576 using active circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

The present invention provides an intrusion barrier for protecting against mechanical or chemical intrusion into an electronic assembly, especially one containing volatile memory. It includes a screen material surrounding the electronic assembly which screen material has formed thereon fine conductive lines in close proximity to each other. The lines are formed of conductive particles of material dispersed in a solidified matrix of a material which loses its mechanical integrity when removed from the screen. An electrical supply and signal detection circuit is provided which generates an output signal responsive to a given change in resistance of the conductive lines, such that if the resistance changes are a result of a mechanical or chemical attack, a signal is generated which can cause the erasure of the volatile memory. Also, radiation detection and temperature sensing circuits are provided to cause erasure of the volatile memory responsive to detection of a given intensity of radiation or a temperature below a given value.

Claims

1. A barrier in combination with an electronic circuit for protecting against intrusions into an electronic assembly including electronic components comprising;

screen means surrounding said electronic assembly, said screen means including a flexible unitary membrane wrapped around the electronic assembly and line means formed on a substrate in a pattern that resists access without disturbing said line means,

encapsulating material encapsulating said line means and bonded to said line means, said encapsulating material being at least as tough as the screen member and chemically similar or more durable than the screen member,

and, electrical supply and signal detection means adapted to supply an input signal to said line means and generate an output signal responsive to a given change in said resistance of said line means;

whereby when said resistance of said line means changes, a signal will be generated.

2. The electronic assembly as defined in claim 1 further characterized by preform means interposed between said components and said screen means and supporting said screen means.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said preform means included first and second sections, one disposed on each side of said components.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said sections has a smooth surface in contact with a portion of said unitary flexible membrane.

5. The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said sections have rounded side and end portions.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said sections includes slots to receive leads from said screen.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein screen means includes a main body portion, and flap portions to completely enclose said preforms.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said electronic assembly includes a circuit card with components mounted thereon.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 including alignment means coactable between said screen and said card to provide alignment of the screen on said preforms.

10. The assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said alignment means includes an alignment opening on said screen and an alignment pin extending from said preform.

13. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the encapsulant is a polyurethane.

15. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said line means are formed of discrete conductive particles disposed in a solidified matrix of material.

17. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said barrier includes connector means to provide connection and flat cable means for input/output signals and power.

11. The assembly as defined in claim wherein said electronic assembly includes flexible circuit means with said components mounted thereon.

12. The assembly as defined in claim wherein said flexible circuit includes a flexible membrane with circuitry formed on one side and said lines formed on the opposite side.

14. The assembly as defined in claim wherein the encapsulant is an epoxy.

16. The assembly as defined in claim wherein said electronic assembly includes pin means to supply input/output signals and power.

18. The assembly as defined in claim further characterized by means to detect optical input/output signals.

19. The assembly as defined in claim 18 further characterized by said means to detect optical input/output signals including photoelectric energy conversion means.