Abstract: An electronic system can be used to monitor temperature. The electronic system can include a characterized dielectric located adjacent to a plurality of heat-producing electronic devices. The electronic system can also include a leakage measurement circuit that is electrically connected to the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can be configured to measure current leakage through the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can also be configured to convert a leakage current measurement into a corresponding output voltage. A response device, electrically connected to the leakage measurement circuit can be configured to, in response to the output voltage exceeding a voltage threshold corresponding to a known temperature, initiate a response action.

Abstract: An electronic system can be used to monitor temperature. The electronic system can include a characterized dielectric located adjacent to a plurality of heat-producing electronic devices. The electronic system can also include a leakage measurement circuit that is electrically connected to the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can be configured to measure current leakage through the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can also be configured to convert a leakage current measurement into a corresponding output voltage. A response device, electrically connected to the leakage measurement circuit can be configured to, in response to the output voltage exceeding a voltage threshold corresponding to a known temperature, initiate a response action.

Abstract: Aspects include a cryptographic hardware security module having a secure embedded heat pipe and methods for assembling the same. The cryptographic hardware security module can include a printed circuit board having one or more components. The cryptographic hardware security module can further include an encapsulation structure having a top can and a bottom can. The top can is fixed to a first surface of the printed circuit board and the bottom can is fixed to second surface of the printed circuit board opposite the first surface. A heat pipe is positioned between the top can and the component. The heat pipe includes two or more 180-degree bends. A portion of the heat pipe extends beyond a secure region of the encapsulation structure.

Abstract: An electronic system can include an electronic module and a trace circuit that provides a perimeter that encloses the electronic module. A sensing circuit within the electronic system can be configured to detect a discontinuity in the perimeter. In response to detecting the discontinuity in the perimeter, the sensing circuit can initiate, from a response device, a response signal.

Abstract: A uniform thickness flex circuit is taught that uses more than one dielectric layer. A first dielectric layer is more flexible and capable of reliably bending at a radius of curvature at which a second dielectric layer cannot be reliably bent. The second dielectric layer has at least one more desirable electrical characteristic than the first dielectric area, for example leakage. Use of the uniform thickness flex circuit to protect sensitive material in an electronic enclosure is also described.

Abstract: A uniform thickness flex circuit is taught that uses more than one dielectric layer. A first dielectric layer is more flexible and capable of reliably bending at a radius of curvature at which a second dielectric layer cannot be reliably bent. The second dielectric layer has at least one more desirable electrical characteristic than the first dielectric area, for example leakage. Use of the uniform thickness flex circuit to protect sensitive material in an electronic enclosure is also described.

Abstract: An electronic system can include an electronic module and a trace circuit that provides a perimeter that encloses the electronic module. A sensing circuit within the electronic system can be configured to detect a discontinuity in the perimeter. In response to detecting the discontinuity in the perimeter, the sensing circuit can initiate, from a response device, a response signal.

Abstract: An electronic system can be used to monitor temperature. The electronic system can include a characterized dielectric located adjacent to a plurality of heat-producing electronic devices. The electronic system can also include a leakage measurement circuit that is electrically connected to the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can be configured to measure current leakage through the characterized dielectric. The leakage measurement circuit can also be configured to convert a leakage current measurement into a corresponding output voltage. A response device, electrically connected to the leakage measurement circuit can be configured to, in response to the output voltage exceeding a voltage threshold corresponding to a known temperature, initiate a response action.

Abstract: A system and method to automatically determine power plane shape in a printed circuit board (PCB) involve obtaining inputs. The inputs include a size and shape of the PCB, a set of sources, and a set of sinks associated with a power plane. The method also includes determining a center of charge (CoC) as a center of largest current density for the set of sources and the set of sinks, and creating a sub-shape corresponding with a path from each source of the set of sources and from each sink of the set of sinks to the CoC. The creating the sub-shape includes determining a width of a conductor in the path corresponding with each of the sub-shapes. The sub-shapes created for the set of sources and the set of sinks are combined as the power plane shape.

Abstract: A system to protect signal integrity includes a circuit board having a secure portion and a non-secure portion. The secure portion includes a protected circuit operable for storing security relevant data, and a secure portion power-supply element. The non-secure portion includes an unprotected circuit and a non-secure portion power-supply element corresponding to the secure portion power-supply element. The secure portion and the non-secure portion element are separated by an isolation gap. A coupling element bridges the isolation gap between the secure portion and the non-secure portion. The coupling element is electrically connected to the secure portion power-supply element within the secure portion and electrically connected to the non-secure portion power-supply portion.

Abstract: A system and method to automatically determine power plane shape in a printed circuit board (PCB) involve obtaining inputs. The inputs include a size and shape of the PCB, a set of sources, and a set of sinks associated with a power plane. The method also includes determining a center of charge (CoC) as a center of largest current density for the set of sources and the set of sinks, and creating a sub-shape corresponding with a path from each source of the set of sources and from each sink of the set of sinks to the CoC. The creating the sub-shape includes determining a width of a conductor in the path corresponding with each of the sub-shapes. The sub-shapes created for the set of sources and the set of sinks are combined as the power plane shape.

Abstract: Fabrication of a circuit board is facilitated by automatically determining an optimized power plane shape for a power plane of the circuit board, including ascertaining for the power plane a source location(s) and a sink location(s), where the source supplies power to the sink across the power plane. A center of current density is determined for the power plane shape, and a respective power plane sub-shape is incrementally generated between the center of current density and each source and sink location to, in part, supply a desired operational voltage from the source location(s) to the sink location(s) across the power plane. The respective power plane sub-shapes are combined into the optimized power plane shape. Further, the process includes initiating fabricating of the circuit board using, at least in part, the optimized power plane shape to provide the power plane shape within the circuit board.

Abstract: Fabrication of a circuit board is facilitated by automatically determining an optimized power plane shape for a power plane of the circuit board, including ascertaining for the power plane a source location(s) and a sink location(s), where the source supplies power to the sink across the power plane. A center of current density is determined for the power plane shape, and a respective power plane sub-shape is incrementally generated between the center of current density and each source and sink location to, in part, supply a desired operational voltage from the source location(s) to the sink location(s) across the power plane. The respective power plane sub-shapes are combined into the optimized power plane shape. Further, the process includes initiating fabricating of the circuit board using, at least in part, the optimized power plane shape to provide the power plane shape within the circuit board.

Abstract: A system to protect signal integrity includes a circuit board having a secure portion and a non-secure portion. The secure portion includes a protected circuit operable for storing security relevant data, and a secure portion power-supply element. The non-secure portion includes an unprotected circuit and a non-secure portion power-supply element corresponding to the secure portion power-supply element. The secure portion and the non-secure portion element are separated by an isolation gap. A coupling element bridges the isolation gap between the secure portion and the non-secure portion. The coupling element is electrically connected to the secure portion power-supply element within the secure portion and electrically connected to the non-secure portion power-supply portion.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes, for instance, a tamper-respondent sensor having at least one flexible layer and paired conductive lines disposed on the at least one flexible layer. The paired conductive lines form, at least in part, at least one tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent sensor. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure further includes monitor circuitry electrically connected to the paired conductive lines to differentially monitor the paired conductive lines for a tamper event. In enhanced embodiments, multiple interconnect vias electrically connect to two or more layers of paired conductive lines and are disposed in an unfolded interconnect area of the tamper-respondent sensor when the sensor is operatively positioned about an electronic component or assembly to be protected.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes, for instance, a tamper-respondent sensor having at least one flexible layer and paired conductive lines disposed on the at least one flexible layer. The paired conductive lines form, at least in part, at least one tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent sensor. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure further includes monitor circuitry electrically connected to the paired conductive lines to differentially monitor the paired conductive lines for a tamper event. In enhanced embodiments, multiple interconnect vias electrically connect to two or more layers of paired conductive lines and are disposed in an unfolded interconnect area of the tamper-respondent sensor when the sensor is operatively positioned about an electronic component or assembly to be protected.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.

Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.