Unchangeable physical unclonable function in non-volatile memory
AssigneeMacronix International Co., Ltd.
InventorsChun-Hsiung Hung, Chin-Hung Chang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device which can be implemented on a single packaged integrated circuit or a multichip module comprises a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, and logic to use a physical unclonable function to produce a key and to store the key in a set of non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells. The physical unclonable function can use entropy derived from non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells to produce a 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.
Claims14
A circuit comprising:
- a plurality of non-volatile memory cells;
- logic configured to use a physical unclonable function to produce a key, to store the key in a set of non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells, and to use the physical unclonable function to update the key when a key update protocol signals that the key needs to be updated;
- logic configured to disable changes to data in the set of non-volatile memory cells after the key is stored in the set, wherein the logic configured to disable changes to data in the set of non-volatile memory cells after the key is stored in the set is configured to disable use of the physical unclonable function;
- and
- authentication logic requiring a successful authentication protocol to enable the physical unclonable function to produce the key, wherein:
- the physical unclonable function is configured to utilize entropy generated using non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells to produce the key;
- or
- the physical unclonable function is configured to use the set of non-volatile memory cells to produce the key.
A method for operating a circuit including a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, comprising:
- executing a physical unclonable function to generate a key;
- storing the key in a set of non-volatile memory cells;
- using the physical unclonable function to update the key when a key update protocol signals that the key needs to be updated;
- after storing the key, disabling changes to data stored in the set of non-volatile memory cells, wherein disabling changes to data stored in the set of non-volatile memory cells disables use of the physical unclonable function;
- and
- requiring a successful authentication protocol to enable the physical unclonable function to produce the key, wherein:
- the physical unclonable function utilizes entropy generated using non-volatile memory cells in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells to produce the key;
- or
- the physical unclonable function uses the set of non-volatile memory cells to produce the key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.