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Crypto Quantique, Attopsemi simplify MCU PUF

Crypto Quantique, Attopsemi simplify MCU PUF

Business news |
By Nick Flaherty



Crypto Quantique in the UK is working with Attopsemi Technology to simplify the use of physically unclonable functions (PUF) to make microcontrollers and system on chip (SoC) devices more secure.

Attopsemi in Taiwan develops OTP IP (One-Time Programmable intellectual property) and has integrated the Crypto Quantique PUF. This allows PUF error correction data can be stored securely in the OTP. The error correction data, called ‘helper data’, is not visible to the user and no data manipulation or corruption is possible, making this approach highly secure. The integrated technology also means that helper data does not take up non-volatile memory space that may be needed for other system functions.

“This collaboration is an important step in making our PUF more accessible and easier to implement for our customers and their end users. It saves design time and cost while boosting security by eliminating the risk of side-channel attacks on stored security credentials,” said Shahram Mossayebi, Crypto Quantique CEO.

The embedded hardware PUF technology, called QDID, exploits the quantum tunnelling effect in on-chip memory to generate unique, immutable, and unclonable random numbers to produce digital fingerprints. This is based on measuring tiny electron flows caused by quantum tunnelling across the naturally varying gate oxide thickness in the CMOS chip manufacturing processes. For the PUF fingerprint to be consistent, some error correction is needed, and helper data performs that role.

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The Attopsemi I-fuse OTP uses a patented fuse structure that is programmed by heat-assisted electromigration below a breakpoint. It supports a wide voltage range for rapid, in-field programming and requires a very small silicon area of around 0.027 mm2 for 8K bits.

 The combination of QDID and I-fuse technologies enables a compact and secure hardware root-of-trust to be created within any CMOS semiconductor manufactured at process nodes between 12 nm and 55 nm.

“This application is a perfect example of how OTP technology can contribute to IoT device security, one of the biggest challenges facing embedded developers today. It makes PUF implementation simpler and more cost-effective,” said Meisie Jong, Attopsemi CEO.

www.cryptoquantique.com; www.attopsemi.com

 

 

 

 

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