Method and apparatus for protecting integrated circuits from unauthorized copying and use

摘要

A security system and method for IC circuits has at least one additional circuit element that does not contribute toward the IC's circuit function, but inhibits proper functioning of the IC in case of an attempted unauthorized use. The identity of the additional circuit elements is disguised by forming them with the visible appearance of an apparent element but with a physical modification which is not readily visible but causes them to function in a different manner, by providing different ICs with unique control codes, or both. Physical modifications not readily visible include very narrow open circuit cuts in metallized connection lines, preferably with a focused ion beam (FIB) or laser beam; and/or disordering the lattice structure or changing the doping level of a semiconductor region, preferably with a FIB; and/or injecting electrical charge into a semiconductor region, preferably with an electron beam. The additional elements can be formed into a control code subcircuit for the IC, with the code disguised by the use of apparent elements. ICs can be grouped into an operational ring in which control codes are transmitted serially through the ring, and the invention can be applied to a combined hardware/software system. Individual copies of the software, preferably the operating system software, contain the unique control codes required by the modified ICs and the algorithms to interact with the system hardware for the purposes of transmitting, receiving, and authenticating the control codes.