# US 12,015,723 B2 · Physically unclonable function device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,015,723 B2 - Document ID: US12015723B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/717,522 - Filed: 2022-04-11 - Published: 2022-10-13 - Granted: 2024-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-12 - Assignees: TTP Plc - Applicants: TTP Plc - Inventors: Timothy John Palmer; Michael Beck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015723B2 ## CPC - G06F 21/73: by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers - H04L 9/3278: {using physically unclonable functions [PUF]} - G06F 21/75: by inhibiting the analysis of circuitry or operation - 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) - H10W 42/20: protecting against electromagnetic or particle radiation, e.g. light, X-rays, gamma-rays or electrons - H10W 42/276: {the arrangements being on an external surface of the package, e.g. on the outer surface of an encapsulation} - H10W 42/40: protecting against tampering, e.g. unauthorised inspection or reverse engineering - H10W 42/405: {using active circuits} - G06F 21/86: Secure or tamper-resistant housings - H04L 9/0816: {Key establishment, i.e. cryptographic processes or cryptographic protocols whereby a shared secret becomes available to two or more parties, for subsequent use} - H04L 9/0866: {involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics} - H04L 9/3271: {using challenge-response} - H04L 2209/12: Details relating to cryptographic hardware or logic circuitry - H10W 74/111: {the semiconductor body being completely enclosed} - H10W 74/121: {by multiple encapsulations, e.g. by a thin protective coating and a thick encapsulation} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G09C: CIPHERING OR DECIPHERING APPARATUS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES INVOLVING THE NEED FOR SECRECY - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a plurality of conductors, at least some of which are arranged so that they interact electrically and/or magnetically with one another. A media surrounds at least a portion of each of the conductors, and circuitry is configured for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one of the conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one of the other conductors to generate an identifying response to the challenge signal that is unique to the device. The media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the interactive regions having an electrical and/or magnetic response characteristic which is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprising: a plurality of conductors, at least a portion of the plurality of conductors arranged such that the portion of the plurality of conductors interact electrically or magnetically with one another; a media surrounding at least a portion of the portion of the plurality of conductors; and circuitry for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one conductor of the plurality of conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one other conductor from the plurality of conductors to generate an identifying response to the electrical challenge signal that is unique to the PUF device, wherein the media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the plurality of interactive regions having a response characteristic that is at least one of electrical or magnetic, wherein the response characteristic is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic, wherein the predetermined environmental event comprises: a temperature at a location in the media exceeding a threshold or a humidity at a location in or on the media exceeding a threshold, and wherein the media comprises a perovskite-structured material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein the response characteristic is substantially non-linear prior to the predetermined environmental event. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The PUF device according to claim 2, wherein the response characteristic comprises one or more of a conductivity, permittivity, permeability and magnetic moment of each of the plurality of interactive regions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein alteration of the response characteristic comprises a change in the response characteristic of one or more interactive regions, or a change in an arrangement of the plurality of interactive regions in the media. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of interactive regions comprise interactive particles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The PUF according to claim 5, wherein the interactive particles comprise one or more of neodymium particles and ferromagnetic particles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The PUF device according to claim 5, wherein the interactive particles are distributed substantially non-uniformly in the media. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined environmental event further comprises irradiation exceeding a threshold at a location in the media. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The PUF device according to claim 8, wherein the media comprises a photochemically sensitive material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The PUF device according to claim 8, wherein the media comprises a plurality of photosensitive regions, each comprising a photovoltaic cell bonded to a dielectric material, and alteration of the response characteristic comprises a breakdown of the dielectric material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The PUF device according to claim 10, wherein the dielectric material comprises titanium dioxide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined environmental event comprises a humidity at a location in or on the media exceeding a threshold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The PUF device according to claim 12, wherein the PUF device comprises a casing around the media, and the predetermined environmental event comprises a breach of the casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein the media comprises a methylammonium lead halide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The PUF device according to claim 1, where the PUF device is configured for mounting in a tamper-proof electronic sub-assembly. ### Claim 16 A packaged, single-chip, component comprising: a substrate; and at least one physically unclonable function (PUF) device associated with the substrate, the PUF device comprising: a plurality of conductors, at least a portion of the plurality of conductors arranged such that the portion of the plurality of conductors interact electrically or magnetically with one another; a media surrounding at least a portion of the portion of the plurality of conductors; and circuitry for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one conductor of the plurality of conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one other conductor of the plurality of conductors to generate an identifying response to the electrical challenge signal that is unique to the PUF device, wherein the media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the plurality of interactive regions having a response characteristic that is at least one of electrical or magnetic, wherein the response characteristic is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic, wherein the predetermined environmental event comprises: a temperature at a location in the media exceeding a threshold or a humidity at a location in or on the media exceeding a threshold, and wherein the media comprises a perovskite-structured material. ### Claim 17 A multi-chip module or system-in-package module comprising: at least one substrate; and at least one physically unclonable function (PUF) device associated with the substrate, the PUF device comprising: a plurality of conductors, at least a portion of the plurality of conductors arranged such that the portion of the plurality of conductors interact electrically or magnetically with one another; a media surrounding at least a portion of the portion of the plurality of conductors; and circuitry for applying an electrical challenge signal to at least one conductor of the plurality of conductors and for receiving an electrical output from at least one other conductor of the plurality of conductors to generate an identifying response to the electrical challenge signal that is unique to the PUF device, wherein the media comprises a plurality of interactive regions, the plurality of interactive regions having a response characteristic that is at least one of electrical or magnetic, wherein the response characteristic is permanently altered in response to a predetermined environmental event, and the identifying response is altered with the response characteristic, wherein the predetermined environmental event comprises: a temperature at a location in the media exceeding a threshold or a humidity at a location in or on the media exceeding a threshold, and wherein the media comprises a perovskite-structured material.