Integrated receiver circuit for electromagnetic pulse detection in wireless microcontrollers

An integrated circuit comprising:

• a protected circuit;
• an antenna for receiving an RF signal;
• an energy detection circuit having an input coupled to said antenna, a first output for providing a demodulated signal, and a second output for selectively providing a detect signal in response to detecting that an energy of a first internal signal exceeds a first threshold;
• a tamper response circuit for activating a protect signal in response to said detect signal while in a secure authentication mode;
• and
• a protection circuit responsive to said protect signal to disable a function of said protected circuit.

A method for protecting an integrated circuit from tampering, comprising:

• in a normal operation mode:
• switching an input of a radio frequency receiver to an RF input terminal of the integrated circuit;
• receiving an RF input signal at said RF input terminal using said RF receiver;
• and
• demodulating said RF input signal received at said RF input terminal, and
• in a secure authentication mode:
• switching said input of said RF receiver to an antenna on the integrated circuit;
• detecting that an energy of a first internal signal of said RF receiver exceeds a first threshold;
• providing a detect signal in response to said detecting;
• and
• disabling a function of the integrated circuit in response to an activation of said detect signal.