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

Overview

Protection of the embedded secrets against professional hackers stealing actions
Protection of Non-Volatile-Memory to make sure that pirates:
- Do not access the code (boot loader, test functions) which could be used to extract the embedded software or data
- Can not extract the embedded software which would allow them to:
  - Gain information to be able to easily perform cheaper attacks
  - Emulate the code on another device
- Have no access to user data
Great efficiency: needs very little silicon area, consumes very low energy and does not degrade the IC performance
100% Hardware based: does not require extra-software design as it relies on the IC itself

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

- 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

Availability

Immediate