Data protection and cryptographic functions using a device-specific value
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- generating a digital value in an integrated circuit that depends on circuit characteristics that vary due to fabrication variations among a plurality of like integrated circuits; and
applying a data access function that uses as an input the generated digital value to access protected information stored in the integrated circuit;
wherein the steps of generating the digital value and using the digital value are repeated without requiring storage of the digital value between repetitions.
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Abstract
A digital value is generated in an integrated circuit such that the generated value substantially depends on circuit parameters that vary among like devices. The generated digital value is then used, for example, to access protected information in the device or to perform a cryptographic function in the integrated circuit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a digital value in an integrated circuit that depends on circuit characteristics that vary due to fabrication variations among a plurality of like integrated circuits; and applying a data access function that uses as an input the generated digital value to access protected information stored in the integrated circuit; wherein the steps of generating the digital value and using the digital value are repeated without requiring storage of the digital value between repetitions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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applying a key generation function to determine a cryptographic key in an integrated circuit based on an input to the key generation function that includes a first digital value generated in the integrated circuit such that the first digital value depends on circuit parameters that vary due to fabrication variations among like integrated circuits; and performing a cryptographic function on information stored in the integrated circuit using the determined cryptographic key; wherein the method does not require non-volatile storage of the cryptographic key in the integrated circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a key generator, including a component that generates a digital value such that the digital value depends on circuit parameters that vary due to fabrication variations among like integrated circuits, and a component that applies a key generation function to determine a cryptographic key based on an input to the key generation function that includes the digital value; and a cryptographic component coupled to the key generator to accept the determined cryptographic key. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification