Anti-tamper device for integrated circuits

• US 9,305,190 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graeme J. Freedman
• Original Assignee: Graeme J. Freedman
• Inventors: Freedman, Graeme J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zecher, Dede
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doan, Trang
• Application Number:
  US13/519,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20130125250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 41/005 Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins F16B23/0007, F16B23/0061, F16B23/0069, F16B23/0076 and F16B31/02 take precedence; locks, keys E05B; for valves, taps or cocks F16K35/00; for pipe-joints with swivel-nuts F16L19/005
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/06 Guntraps devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack in airplanes B64D45/0015; burglar traps or the like, on safes E05G5/02; identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves, or intruders G08B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 7/00 Fuzes actuated by application of a predetermined mechanical force, e.g. tension, torsion, pressure by ammunition impact F42C1/00, by exposure to a predetermined ambient fluid pressure F42C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/57 Protection from inspection, reverse engineering or tampering
• 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

Abstract

An anti-tamper device (10) for one or more integrated circuits (12) includes a firing assembly (14) and a breach assembly (16). The firing assembly (14) includes a contained energy source (24), an impact element (26) and a breach assembly (16). The breach assembly (16) is configured to house one or more integrated circuits (12) and a propellant charge (30). Upon an attempt to improperly remove or dislodge an integrated circuit (12) from the anti-tamper device (10), the contained energy source (24) is actuated. The energy source (24) propels the impact element (26) against the propellant charge (30), causing the charge to ignite. The resultant forces from the impact element (26) and ignition of the charge imparts a shock wave through the anti-tamper device (10). This shock wave induces spalling of the integrated circuit (12) such that the circuit is physically altered and rendered unreadable.

Claims

1. A breach assembly for an anti-tamper device for one or more integrated circuits, comprising:

a breach element defining a propellant charge chamber to house a propellant charge,

a slot in the breach element for receiving and housing the one or more integrated circuits, and

cross ports communicating with the slot and aligned with the propellant charge chamber,

whereby when the breach assembly is placed into a containment chamber and the propellant charge is activated, a shock wave is imparted throughout the breach element, including spalling of the one or more integrated circuits and thereby a breach of the one or more integrated circuits at the cross ports is created.

2. The breach assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more integrated circuits housed in the slot in the breach element.

3. The breach assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one vent hole for release of one or more propellant gases after ignition of the propellant charge.

4. An anti-tamper device for one or more integrated circuits, comprising the breach assembly according to claim 1.

5. The anti-tamper device of claim 4, further comprising an impact element.

6. The anti-tamper device according to claim 5, wherein the impact element is configured to ignite the propellant charge.

7. The anti-tamper device according to claim 5, further comprising a contained energy source that accelerates the impact element into contact with the propellant charge.

8. The anti-tamper device according to claim 4, further comprising a tripping mechanism.

9. A method comprising:

obtaining a breach assembly comprising;

a breach element defining a propellant charge chamber to house a propellant charge,

a slot in the breach element for receiving and housing the one or more integrated circuits, and

cross ports communicating with the slot and aligned with the propellant charge chamber; and

installing one or more integrated circuits into the slot in the breach element of the breach assembly,

placing the breach assembly into a containment chamber and activating the propellant charge to impart a shock wave throughout the breach element, including spalling of the one or more integrated circuits and thereby a breach of the one or more integrated circuits at the cross ports is created.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more integrated circuits are coupled to a system selected from the group consisting of:

a transit system, a banking system, a physical access system, a computer terminal, and a network.