Self-powering tamper detection and response system architecture

• US 10,984,141 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Issued: 04/20/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Lillestolen, Kirk A., Villano, William E., Manna, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dada, Beemnet W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choy, Ka Shan
• Application Number:
  US16/172,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20200134241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/128 the housing being an electronic circuit unit, e.g. memory or CPU chip protecting computer components in secure or tamper resistant housings G06F21/86; protecting computer input devices, e.g. keyboards G06F21/83
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0275 Security details, e.g. tampering prevention or detection

Abstract

A self-powering tamper detection system architecture includes a power source, a tamper detector configured to identify a tamper event, a tamper switch electrically connected to the power source and mechanically connected to the tamper detector, a tamper controller configured to produce a tamper response when the tamper event is identified, and program memory configured to store program data. The tamper detector is configured to mechanically actuate the tamper switch when a tamper event occurs, and the tamper response provides a disruption of the program data. The tamper detector and the tamper switch can include printed circuit board and embedded transformer, whereby the embedded transformer includes an axially-moveable ferromagnetic core.

Claims

1. A self-powering tamper detection system architecture, comprising:

a power source;

a tamper detector, configured to identify a tamper event;

a tamper switch, electrically connected to the power source and mechanically connected to the tamper detector;

a tamper controller, configured to produce a tamper response when the tamper event is identified; and

program memory, configured to store program data;

wherein;

the tamper detector is configured to mechanically actuate the tamper switch when a tamper event occurs; and

the tamper response comprises a disruption of the program data; and

wherein the tamper detector and the tamper switch together comprise;

a printed circuit board, having an aperture therein; and

an embedded transformer, including;

a chassis strut, disposed perpendicularly to the printed circuit board;

a circular primary winding, encircling the aperture;

one or more circular secondary windings, encircling the aperture; and

a moveable ferromagnetic core, configured to move axially within the chassis strut, thereby passing through the aperture;

wherein;

the circular primary winding comprises a trace on the printed circuit board;

the one or more circular secondary windings each comprise a trace on the printed circuit board; and

the moveable ferromagnetic core is configured such that a tamper event causes the moveable ferromagnetic core to move axially within the chassis strut.

2. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the power source stores electrical energy for at least 5 years.

3. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the power source stores electrical energy for at least 20 years.

4. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a chemical battery, electrical capacitor, and/or super-capacitor.

5. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the program memory comprises a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), and/or erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

6. The self-powering tamper system architecture of claim 1, wherein the program data comprises software control code, software algorithms, hardware algorithms, reconnaissance information, intelligence data, and/or cryptographic keys.

7. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a multi-layer printed circuit board.

8. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 7, wherein:

the circular primary winding comprises at least 0.75 turns; and

the one or more circular secondary windings each comprise at least 0.75 turns.

9. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic magnetic core comprises a chassis screw.

10. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, wherein:

the embedded transformer further comprises at least one ferromagnetic ring; and

the movable ferromagnetic core is configured to move axially within the at least one ferromagnetic ring.

11. The self-powering tamper detection system architecture of claim 1, further comprising:

an oscillator, configured to produce a time-varying voltage waveform;

a driver, configured to apply the time-varying voltage waveform to the circular primary winding, thereby inducing a time-varying voltage waveform in each of the one or more circular secondary windings when the moveable ferromagnetic core magnetically couples the primary winding to each of the one or more circular secondary windings to produce an induced time-varying secondary voltage;

a decoder, configured to produce a periodic signal representative of the induced time-varying secondary voltage; and

a timer, configured to;

produce a first output when the periodic signal is present; and

produce a second output when the periodic signal is not present;

wherein the second output is indicative of the tamper event.

12. A computer system, comprising the self-powering tamper system architecture of claim 1.

13. A method of using the self-powering tamper system architecture of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

monitoring, with the tamper detector, for a mechanical movement indicative of a tamper event;

mechanically actuating the tamper switch when an indicia of the tamper event occurs, to cause transmission of an electrical signal from the power source to the tamper controller when the indicia of the tamper event occurs;

producing, with the tamper controller, a tamper response when the tamper event occurs; and

disrupting, with the tamper controller, the program data when the tamper response is produced.

14. A self-powering tamper detection system, comprising:

a power source;

a tamper detector, comprising a moveable ferromagnetic core;

a tamper switch, comprising;

a printed circuit board, having an aperture therein;

an embedded transformer, including;

a chassis strut, disposed perpendicularly to the printed circuit board;

a circular primary winding, encircling the aperture;

one or more circular secondary windings, encircling the aperture; and

a moveable ferromagnetic core, configured to move axially within the chassis strut, thereby passing through the aperture; and

an oscillator, configured to produce a time-varying voltage waveform;

a driver, configured to apply the time-varying voltage waveform to the circular primary winding, thereby inducing a time-varying voltage waveform in each of the one or more circular secondary windings when the moveable ferromagnetic core magnetically couples the primary winding to each of the one or more circular secondary windings to produce an induced time-varying secondary voltage;

a decoder, configured to produce a periodic signal representative of the induced time-varying secondary voltage;

a timer, configured to;

produce a first output when the periodic signal is present; and

produce a second output when the periodic signal is not present;

a tamper controller, configured to produce a tamper response when the tamper event is identified; and

program memory, configured to store program data;

wherein;

the moveable ferromagnetic core is configured such that a tamper event causes the moveable ferromagnetic core to move axially within the chassis strut;

the second output is indicative of the tamper event; and

the tamper response comprises a disruption of the program data.

15. The self-powering tamper detection system of claim 14, wherein the power source comprises a chemical battery, electrical capacitor, or super-capacitor.

16. The self-powering tamper detection system of claim 14, wherein the program memory comprises a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), and/or erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

17. The self-powering tamper detection system of claim 14, wherein the program data comprises software control code, software algorithms, hardware algorithms, reconnaissance information, intelligence data, and/or cryptographic keys.

18. A computer system, comprising the self-powering tamper system of claim 14.

19. An aeronautical vehicle, comprising the computer system of claim 18.