Gain cell memory based physically unclonable function
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorKangguo Cheng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is presented for employing a physically unclonable function (PUF) structure for chip authentication. The method includes connecting a plurality of gain cells to either a first multiplexer or a second multiplexer and receiving outputs from the first and second multiplexers by a current sense amplifier. The plurality of gain cells can be either two-transistor gain cell memories or three-transistor gain cell memories.
Claims20
A physically unclonable function (PUF) structure comprising:
- a plurality of gain cells each electrically connected to both a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, all of the plurality of gain cells excluding oscillators;
- and
- a current sense amplifier coupled directly to the first and second multiplexers to receive outputs therefrom without employing counters directly before or directly after the first and second multiplexers.
A method for forming a physically unclonable function (PUF) structure, the method comprising:
- electrically connecting each of a plurality of gain cells to both a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, all of the plurality of gain cells excluding oscillators;
- and
- coupling a current sense amplifier directly to the first and second multiplexers to receive outputs therefrom without employing counters directly before or directly after the first and second multiplexers.
A method for forming a physically unclonable function (PUF) structure, the method comprising:
- electrically connecting each of a plurality of gain cells to both a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, all of the plurality of gain cells excluding oscillators;
- coupling a current sense amplifier directly to the first and second multiplexers to receive outputs therefrom without employing counters directly before or directly after the first and second multiplexers;
- and
- using a relative retention time of a group of gain cells including transistors for reading PUF data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.