Anti-tamper device for integrated circuits

Abstract

An anti-tamper device (10) for one or more integrated circuits (12) includes a firing assembly (14) and a breach assembly (16). The firing assembly (14) includes a contained energy source (24), an impact element (26) and a breach assembly (16). The breach assembly (16) is configured to house one or more integrated circuits (12) and a propellant charge (30). Upon an attempt to improperly remove or dislodge an integrated circuit (12) from the anti-tamper device (10), the contained energy source (24) is actuated. The energy source (24) propels the impact element (26) against the propellant charge (30), causing the charge to ignite. The resultant forces from the impact element (26) and ignition of the charge imparts a shock wave through the anti-tamper device (10). This shock wave induces spalling of the integrated circuit (12) such that the circuit is physically altered and rendered unreadable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.