Nxp B.v.

Tobias Richard Erich Nink

Nikita Veshchikov

Sven Trester

Lutz Pape

A method is provided for detecting tampering of a printed circuit board (PCB) using a tamper detection circuit implemented in an integrated circuit (IC) mounted on the PCB. In the method, a reference signal is generated and provided to a terminal of the IC. The terminal is connected to another circuit mounted on the PCB. A first response signal is received in response to the reference signal at the terminal. One or more characteristics of the first response signal are stored in a memory. The reference signal is again provided to the terminal of the integrated circuit and a second response signal is received at the terminal. The stored characteristics of the first response signal are compared to corresponding characteristics of the second response signal to generate a comparison result. The comparison result is used to detect tampering. When tampering is detected, an indication is provided.

Integrated circuit and method for detecting tampering of a printed circuit board

An integrated circuit includes functional structures and non-functional structures. The functional structures include one or more functional metal structures. The non-functional structures include one or more non-functional metal structures. At least one of the one or more non-functional metal structures is connected to at least one of the one or more functional metal structures. For example, the at least one non-functional metal structure is connected to the at least one functional metal structure through a via. Alternatively, the at least one non-functional metal structure is connected to the at least one functional metal structure by physically contacting the at least one functional metal structure without using a via.

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Hamburg, Germany

Tobias Richard Erich Nink