Integrated circuit with anti-counterfeiting measures

A circuit which causes failure in an integrated circuit (IC) when operatively coupled to the IC, the circuit comprising:

• a first element having a first input for receiving a first signal (110) and a second input for receiving a second signal (120), and a first output coupled to an input of a second element (330), an output of the second element coupled to a third element (150), the first element generates a third signal (140) on the first output when the first and second signals satisfy a predetermined condition;
• the third element comprises a second output (160) coupled to the IC (170);
• wherein the first signal, the second signal, the first element, the second element, and the third element, appear to be coupled to the IC in a view of the circuit:
• the circuit being inoperative when at least one of the first, second or third element is not operatively coupled to the IC;
• the circuit being operative when each of the first, second and third element is operatively coupled to the IC;
• and
• wherein the circuit is not operatively coupled to the IC when at least one of the first, second or third element comprises a camouflage element.

A method of providing anti-counterfeiting measures for an integrated circuit comprising the steps of:

• providing a circuit which further comprises
• a first element having a first input for receiving a first signal (110) and a second input for receiving a second signal (120), and a first output;
• a second element having a third input which is coupled to the first output and having a second output (160) coupled to the IC (170);
• generating a third signal (140) on the first output when the first and second signals satisfy a predetermined condition;
• at least one of the first or second element appearing to be coupled to the IC in a view of the circuit;
• the circuit being inoperative when at least one of the first or second element is not operatively coupled to the IC;
• disrupting the functionality of the IC to create a fail when the first and second elements are operatively coupled to the IC and when the predetermined condition is satisfied;
• deactivating the circuit when a second predetermined condition is satisfied;
• and
• wherein a second circuit which is integrated within the IC and coupled to the circuit, deactivates the circuit.