Chip structure with steganographic fill shape pattern

Abstract

A disclosed chip structure includes a coded pattern of dummy fill shapes with steganographically embedded information. The coded pattern is in a specific area of the chip, is a modified instance of a known pattern, and is decodable into a binary integer based on observable differences between the coded pattern and the known pattern at corresponding locations with the patterns. The location of the specific area containing the coded pattern, the decode cipher and the binary integer can be maintained as proprietary information (e.g., by a technology company or semiconductor foundry). Chip authentication can be made by a party with the proprietary information. Alternatively, the binary integer could be a means of conveying confidential information to a party that has been provided with the decode cipher and the location of the specific area containing the coded pattern. Also disclosed are system and method embodiments for designing and manufacturing the chip.