Non-volatile memory with physical unclonable function and random number generator

Abstract

A device which can be implemented on a single packaged integrated circuit or a multichip includes a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, and logic to use a physical unclonable function to produce an initial key and to store the initial key in a set of non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells. The device can include logic to use a random number generator to generate a random number, and logic to combine the initial key and the random number to produce an enhanced key. The physical unclonable function can use entropy derived from non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells to produce the initial key. Logic is described to disable changes to data in the set of non-volatile memory cells, and thereby freeze the key after it is stored in the set.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.