Multi-Attribute Circuit Authentication and Reliability Techniques

Alphacore will develop a design flow and library elements for incorporating process- and design-based self-ID and authentication circuitry into typical analog IP blocks. We will design and fabricate key radio frequency front-end building blocks utilizing the prototype flow and library elements. circuitry will be Tested and characterized to verify that the added circuitry is a successful realization of ID and authentication fingerprints, with minimal performance impact on the core analog functionality. Objectives: 1) Develop radio frequency (RF) circuit authentication and identification methods for detecting unauthorized process and circuit modifications and counterfeit integrated circuits (ICs). 2) Design, manufacture, and characterize the first Phase II test chip with a low noise amplifier(LNA) and a voltage-controlled oscillator(VCO), including built-in self-test (BIST) capabilities for evaluating proposed circuit authentication and identification methods. 3) Develop a full flow for design-for-authentication (DfA), authentication, and identification for RF front-ends. 4) Design, manufacture, and characterize two Phase II test chips with two different foundries with RF front-end building blocks (LNA, mixer, VCO) and associated BIST that are designed using Design-for-Authentication (DfA) techniques.