Anti-Counterfeiting Digital IP - Self-aware and Anti-bypass

Overview

Key Features

• Texplained’s countermeasure is schematically composed of two main blocs:
• 1. The Detection Module detects the attack « on the fly »
• => Its checks the execution flow of the software to detect if a Hardware attack is in progress
• 2. The Defense Module reacts to the attack by preventing the striker to obtain the code in the NVW
• => It is highly linked to the architecture of the chip itself, then fully flexible to adapt any Hw architecture
• This module brings self-awareness to the chip, avoiding the development of a specific sw security

Benefits

• - EFFECTIVENESS against the most common invasive attack:
  • - Protection against NVM read-out
  • - Protection of chip designer’s assets and user code
• => Prevents from counterfeiting, emulation / copy, cloning (off-branded and illegal copies)
• - EASY-INTEGRATION:
  • - 100% Standard Cells-based design, fully integrable in the digital core
    • => No analog parts involved
  • - 100% hardware CM: no Sw involved in both modules (Detection and Defense)
  • - 0% sw development needed for the integration of the countermeasure in the design
• => No additional costs for sw development
• - COST-EFFECTIVENESS:
  • - Small footprint (only a few standard cells)
  • - No impact on the chip performance (passive monitoring)
  • - Insignificant power consumption
• => Very favorable Security / Cost ratio

Applications

• e-Gov
• IoT
• Pay TV
• Consoles & printers peripherals
• Access Control
• Smart meters
• Ticketing

Deliverables

• Architecture of the Countermeasure
• Design Specification of the Detection Module
• Adaptation of the Countermeasure to the chip’s architecture
• Support on the integration of the Countermeasure

Technical Specifications