Mixed-signal process-specific function

A method of authenticating and identifying analog mixed-signal integrated circuits using process-specific functions (PSF), the method comprising:

• (a) presenting a wafer having a plurality of dies, each die having a PUF-free integrated circuit with an identical design;
• (b) defining two or more digital inputs for authenticating and identifying each of the integrated circuits;
• (c) defining a common expected analog response to each of the two or more digital inputs from the integrated circuits having the identical design, with each common expected analog response corresponding to one of the two or more digital inputs;
• (d) defining a statistical window for each of the common expected analog responses to the two or more digital inputs by each of the integrated circuits having the identical design;
• (e) applying the two or more digital inputs to each of the integrated circuits;
• (f) receiving analog responses corresponding to the applied inputs, wherein when the analog responses fall outside the statistical window for a particular integrated circuit, that particular integrated circuit is unable to be both identified and authenticated;
• (g) receiving the analog response corresponding to the applied inputs, wherein when the analog responses fall within the statistical window, that integrated circuit is identified and authenticated;
• (h) identifying which dies include the integrated circuits having the analog response outside the statistical window corresponding to the identical design;
• (i) separating from the plurality of dies any die which includes the integrated circuit providing the analog response outside the statistical window, wherein only identified and authenticated integrated circuits remain, wherein the two or more digital inputs for authenticating and identifying each of the integrated circuits include two or more of frequency, amplitude, voltage, and current.