System for preventing tampering with integrated circuit→

/ USPTO #8,896,086/

A tamper detector has input and output pins for connection to ends of a tamper detection circuit, and a corresponding set of linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs) timed by clock signals for generating pseudo-random coded detection signals as a function of seed values and of a generator polynomial defined by feedback taps. A comparator compares signals received from the detection circuit with the coded detection signals. A multiplexer provides the coded detection signal selectively from the LFSRs to the output pin and the comparator. A controller varies the seed values for different cycles of values of the pseudo-random coded detection signals. The controller also controls the generator polynomial and a frequency of the clock signals for different cycles of values of the pseudo-random coded detection signals.

 

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Tamper detector for secure module→

/ USPTO #8689357/

A tamper detector has input and output pins for connection to ends of a tamper detection circuit, and a corresponding set of linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs) timed by clock signals for generating pseudo-random coded detection signals as a function of seed values and of a generator polynomial defined by feedback taps. A comparator compares signals received from the detection circuit with the coded detection signals. A multiplexer provides the coded detection signal selectively from the LFSRs to the output pin and the comparator. A controller varies the seed values for different cycles of values of the pseudo-random coded detection signals. The controller also controls the generator polynomial and a frequency of the clock signals for different cycles of values of the pseudo-random coded detection signals.

 

System for compensating for variations in clock signal frequency→

/ USPTO #US8643410 B1/

A system for compensating for variations in the frequency of an input clock signal having a first frequency includes a coarse counter that receives the input clock signal, counts a predetermined number of clock pulses of the input clock signal, and generates a coarse compensated clock signal having a second frequency. A first compensation module adjusts a clock pulse of the input clock signal based on a coarse compensation value. A residual period adjustment module accumulates a fine compensation value for each clock pulse of the coarse compensated clock signal. A fine counter operates at a third frequency of a fine clock signal, receives an adjusted delay value based on the accumulated fine compensation value, counts a number of fine clock pulses in each clock pulse of the coarse compensated clock signal, and generates a fine compensated clock signal having the second frequency.

 

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Apparatus and method for decoupling asynchronous clock domains→

/ USPTO #US8443224B2/

A circuit and method for synchronizing signals between asynchronous clock domains within digital electronic circuits decouples asynchronous clocks. The timing of the slower clock is used to prevent read and write to counters so that write signals from the fast clock domain can be directly used in the slower clock domain when the counters are not toggling. This feature removes the need for sampling and holding the data on the fast clock, which would require consume additional power and require additional circuit area.

 

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xB/yB coder programmed within an embedded array of a programmable logic device→

/ USPTO # 7279928/

A programmable logic device (PLD) with logic blocks and an embedded array block includes an x-bit (xB)/y-bit (yB) coder programmed into the embedded array block instead of into the logic blocks. An xB/yB coder programmed into an embedded array block of a PLD instead of into logic blocks utilizes less space in a PLD than an xB/yB encoder programmed into the logic blocks. Additionally, the xB/yB coder can operate without row or column crossing for efficient timing in high-speed applications. In an embodiment, the xB/yB coder is an 8B/10B coder. In a further embodiment, the 8B/10B coder comprises a 5B/6B encoder and a 3B/4B encoder.

 

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