# US 10,771,268 B2 · Apparatus and method for generating random digital value

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- Number: US 10,771,268 B2
- Document ID: US10771268B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/150,422
- Filed: 2018-10-03
- Published: 2019-01-31
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-31
- Assignees: ICTK Holdings Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: ICTK Holdings Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Dong Kyue Kim; Byong Deok Choi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771268B2

## CPC

- H04L 9/3278: {using physically unclonable functions [PUF]}
- G06F 21/73: by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
- G09C 1/00: Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system (cryptographic typewriters G09C3/00)
- H04L 9/0866: {involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics}
- H04L 2209/12: Details relating to cryptographic hardware or logic circuitry
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G09C: CIPHERING OR DECIPHERING APPARATUS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES INVOLVING THE NEED FOR SECRECY

## Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for generating digital values to provide a random digital value. The apparatus may generate the digital value based on a semiconductor process variation. The apparatus may include a generating unit to generate a plurality of digital values, based on the semiconductor process variation, and a processing unit to process the digital values and to provide a first digital value. The generating unit may include a plurality of physically unclonable functions (PUFs). A parameter may be differently applied to the PUFs, and the PUFs may generate the digital values.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for generating a digital value, the apparatus comprising:
a generating unit to generate a plurality of digital values, the generating unit comprising a plurality of physically unclonable functions (PUFs), wherein a portion of the PUFs is implemented by applying at least one parameter causing a semiconductor process variation; and
a processing unit to process the digital values and to provide a first digital value,
wherein at least one of the PUFs comprises a via or a contact formed between conductive layers in a semiconductor, and
wherein a parameter of the via or the contact is selected from between a minimum value and a maximum value in which the via or the contact causes a short between the conductive layers stochastically.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital values is generated based on whether the via or the contact causes a short between the conductive layers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parameter of the via or the contact is determined prior to manufacturing the apparatus.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit selects, as the first digital value among the digital values, a digital value that satisfies a condition.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit selects, as the first digital value among the digital values, a value generated by a PUF in which the applied parameter has a minimum value, among a group of PUFs that each provides a digital value corresponding to a bit sequence including both “0” and “1”.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit selects, as the first digital value among the digital values, a value generated by a PUF in which the applied parameter has a median value between a minimum value and a maximum value, among a group of PUFs that each provides a digital value corresponding to a bit sequence including both “0” and “1”.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs a logical operation on the digital values for each bit sequence, and calculates the first digital value.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the logical operation is an eXclusive OR (XOR) logical operation.

### Claim 9

A method of generating a digital value by an apparatus for generating a digital value based on a semiconductor process variation, the method comprising:
generating, by a plurality of physically unclonable functions (PUFs), a plurality of digital values, a portion of the PUFs being manufactured by differently applying at least one parameter causing the semiconductor process variation; and
processing, by a processing unit, the digital values and providing a first digital value,
wherein at least one of the PUFs comprises a via or a contact formed between conductive layers in a semiconductor, and
wherein a parameter of the via or the contact is selected from a range between a minimum value and a maximum value in which the via or the contact causes a short between the conductive layers stochastically.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the generating comprises generating at least one of the digital values based on whether the conductive layers are shorted by the via or the contact.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the parameter of the via or the contact is determined in a test process performed prior to a process of manufacturing the apparatus, and different parameters in the range are applied to the PUFs.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the processing comprises selecting, as the first digital value among the digital values, a digital value that satisfies a condition.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the processing unit selects, as the first digital value among the digital values, a value generated by a PUF in which the applied parameter has a minimum value, among a group of PUFs that each provides a digital value corresponding to a bit sequence including both “0” and “1”.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the processing unit selects, as the first digital value among the digital values, a value generated by a PUF in which the applied parameter has a median value between a minimum value and a maximum value, among a group of PUFs that each provides a digital value corresponding to a bit sequence including both “0” and “1”.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the processing comprises performing a logical operation on the digital values for each bit sequence, and calculating the first digital value.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the logical operation is an eXclusive OR (XOR) logical operation.