Device for generating digital random encryption key

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12063301-B2
Application number	US-202217568159-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 4, 2022
Priority date	Jun 30, 2021
Publication date	Aug 13, 2024
Grant date	Aug 13, 2024

Abstract

A device for generating a digital random encryption key includes an input unit adding a non-volatile active element for overcoming a limit of a passive element when generating an encryption key, applying a random passive filter, and inputting an analog voltage signal to an encryption key generator, an encryption key generator including a non-volatile active element and a passive filter, connected to the input unit through a connection substrate, and generating a random encryption key from an entropy source, and a converter for converting a signal generated by the encryption key generator into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal is provided, thereby improving robustness of security compared to the case of applying the general passive element, allowing regeneration or random generation, and generating an excellent encryption key working excellently for physical reverse engineering violations.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for generating an encryption key, comprising:
an input unit through which an analog input signal is supplied;
an encryption key generator for randomly supplying an analog input signal through a plurality of upper electrodes from by the input unit to a plurality of memory cells, and generating a plurality of analog signals; and
a converter for converting the signal generated by the encryption key generator into a digital signal and outputting a digital encryption key;
wherein the encryption key generator includes:
an input layer for transmitting a signal input by the input unit to a remaining portion through at least one input line;
a filter layer for randomly passing the analog signal transmitted from the input layer to the memory element layer; and
a memory element layer including a memory cell having a non-volatile active element of an entropy source, and adjusting conductivity of the memory cell through a probability of ion tunneling.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the filter layer is one of:
a random conducting signal filter in which a conducting filter or a blocking filter is disposed on a position where the memory cell is provided;
a random position signal filter in which a conducting filter is disposed on a random position irrespective of a position of the memory cell; and
a mixed random signal filter in which a conducting filter or a blocking filter is disposed on a random position irrespective of the position of the memory cell.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory element layer includes:
an ion source layer having ions;
an ion tunneling layer for adjusting a probability for the ions to pass through by controlling a thickness; and
a signal detecting channel layer for storing and detecting a controlled analog signal by detecting the ions having passed through the ion tunneling layer.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the ion source layer includes at least one of LiCoO 2 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 3 PO 4 , LiFePO 4 , LiNi 1-x-y Mn x CO y O 2 , LiNiMn 2-x O 4 , V 2 O 5 , and a combination thereof.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the filter layer is disposed on an upper portion of the ion source layer to transmit the analog signal transmitted from the input layer to an ion source layer or to block the analog signal.

6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the filter layer is disposed on a lower portion of the signal detecting channel layer to transmit or block the signal transmitted to a lower electrode from the signal detecting channel layer.

7. The device of claim 3 , wherein the converter includes:
a calculator for measuring resistance or conductivity of the signal detecting channel layer by using a voltage or current value obtained by measuring a signal detected by the signal detecting channel layer through a lower electrode; and
an AD converter for outputting a value of a digital encryption key by converting an analog signal of the resistance or conductivity of the signal detecting channel layer measured by the calculator into a digital signal.

8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for storing the digital encryption key output by the converter.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Lee Jisung
• Lee Han Saem
• Noh Su Jung

Classifications

• H04L9/12

  Transmitting and receiving encryption devices synchronised or initially set up in a particular manner · CPC title

• H04L9/0872

  using geo-location information, e.g. location data, time, relative position or proximity to other entities · CPC title

• H04L9/0897

  involving additional devices, e.g. trusted platform module [TPM], smartcard or USB · CPC title

• G06F21/72

  in cryptographic circuits · CPC title

• H04L9/0861

  Generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords · CPC title