Abstract: Systems and methods of generating a security key for an integrated circuit device include generating a plurality of key bits with a physically unclonable function (PUF) generator. Unstable bits of the plurality of key bits are identified, and a security key is generated based on the plurality of key bits, wherein the security key excludes the identified unstable bits.

Abstract: An inter-hamming difference analyzer for a memory array having a plurality of sections is provided. The inter-hamming difference analyzer includes a controller, a storage device and a comparator. The controller is configured to obtain contents of the plurality of sections operating in a first operating condition and a second operating condition. The storage device is configured to store the contents of the plurality of sections corresponding to the first operating condition. The comparator is configured to obtain a plurality of inter-hamming differences of the plurality of sections according to the number of unlike bits between the content of a first section of the plurality of sections corresponding to the second operating condition and the contents of a plurality of sections other than the first section stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A circuit includes: a single-port memory interface which includes a sole address port configured to receive a read/write (RW) address, and a multi-port memory which has multiple address ports coupled to the sole address port of the single-port memory interface, and which is configured to store a data unit and parity bits, some of the parity bits being based on the corresponding RW address; a first decoding circuit configured to generate a decoded write address from the RW address and the parity bits; and an error detecting circuit configured to determine if an address error exists based on a comparison of the decoded write address to the read address.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of sections, and an inter-hamming difference analyzer. Each of the sections has an individual location in the memory array. The inter-hamming difference analyzer is configured to obtain a plurality of inter-hamming differences according to the number of unlike bits between content of each section of the plurality of sections corresponding to a first operating condition and content of another section of the plurality of sections corresponding to a second operating condition.

Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.

Abstract: A circuit includes a memory configured to store a data unit and parity bits, the parity bits being based on a write address associated with the stored data unit. An address port is configured to receive a read address for the stored data unit. A decoding circuit is configured to generate a decoded write address from the read address and the parity bits, and an error detecting circuit is configured to determine if an address error exists based on a comparison of the decoded write address to the read address.

Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device comprises: a first die having disposed thereon a first plurality of latches wherein ones of the first plurality of latches are operatively connected to an adjacent one of the first plurality of latches; and a second die having disposed thereon a second plurality of latches wherein ones of the second plurality of latches are operatively connected to an adjacent one of the second plurality of latches. Each latch of the first plurality of latches on said first die corresponds to a latch in the second plurality of latches on said second die. Each set of corresponding latches are operatively connected. A scan path comprises a closed loop comprising each of said first and second plurality of latches. One of the second plurality of latches is operatively connected to another one of the second plurality of latches via an inverter.

Abstract: A device comprises a first die; and a second die stacked below the first die with interconnections between the first die and the second die. A least one of the first die or the second die has a circuit for performing a function and provides a functional path. Each of the first and second dies comprise a plurality of latches, including a respective latch corresponding to each one of the interconnections; and a plurality of multiplexers. Each multiplexer is connected to a respective one of the plurality of latches and arranged for receiving and selecting one of a scan test pattern or a signal from the functional path for outputting during a scan chain test of the first die and second die.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a memory array, a comparing circuit, and a calculating circuit. The memory array is configured to store a first response of an under-test device. The comparing circuit is configured to compare the first response with a plurality of responses of the under-test device operated in conditions that are different from each other to generate comparing results. The calculating circuit is configured to output a maximum hamming distance between two of the first response and the plurality of responses according to the comparing results.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device comprises a memory block including an array of cells, and a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) configured to generate a number of addresses to challenge the memory block in response to an element selected out of a combination.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of sections, and an inter-hamming difference analyzer. Each of the sections has an individual location in the memory array. The inter-hamming difference analyzer is configured to obtain a plurality of inter-hamming differences according to the number of unlike bits between content of each section of the plurality of sections corresponding to a first operating condition and content of another section of the plurality of sections corresponding to a second operating condition.

Abstract: An on-line self-checking Hamming encoder is disclosed. The on-line self-checking Hamming encoder includes: a Hamming encoder, used to convert a received data vector into a Hamming codeword; and an error check unit, coupled to the Hamming encoder and used to generate a syndrome data vector of the Hamming codeword; wherein the on-line self-checking Hamming encoder generates an on-line self-checking result according to the syndrome. An on-line self-checking Hamming decoder and an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of sections, and an inter-hamming difference analyzer. Each section includes a plurality of bits, and the numbers of the bits of the plurality of sections are the same. The inter-hamming difference analyzer is configured to obtain contents of the plurality of sections operating in different operating conditions, to obtain a plurality of inter-hamming differences of the contents, and to provide a maximum inter-hamming difference and a minimum inter-hamming difference among the inter-hamming differences of the plurality of sections. The inter-hamming difference represents the number of unlike bits between the content of one section corresponding to a first operating condition and the content of another section corresponding to a second operating condition that is different from the first operating condition.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a device is provided. A noisy response is received from a physically unclonable function for a challenge. An error code is generated for correcting the noisy first response. An expected response is generated from the noisy first response and the error code. The expected response and corresponding first helper data is store. The helper data includes the first challenge and the error code. The helper data is provided to a device in response to an authentication request from the device, the first device including the physically unclonable function.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating a security key for an integrated circuit device include generating a plurality of key bits with a physically unclonable function (PUF) generator. Unstable bits of the plurality of key bits are identified, and a security key is generated based on the plurality of key bits, wherein the security key excludes the identified unstable bits.

Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for testing a memory, and the memory includes a first memory circuit and a second memory circuit. The second memory circuit is configured to store a first response of the first memory circuit. The device includes a comparing circuit and a calculating circuit. The comparing circuit is configured to compare the first response stored in the second memory circuit with a plurality of responses of the first memory circuit operated in conditions that are different from each other, to generate a plurality of first comparing results. The calculating circuit is configured to output, according to the plurality of first comparing results, a maximum hamming distance between two of the first responses and the plurality of responses of the first memory circuit.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of sections, and an inter-hamming difference analyzer. Each section includes a plurality of bits, and the numbers of the bits of the plurality of sections are the same. The inter-hamming difference analyzer is configured to obtain contents of the plurality of sections operating in different operating conditions, to obtain a plurality of inter-hamming differences of the contents, and to provide a maximum inter-hamming difference and a minimum inter-hamming difference among the inter-hamming differences of the plurality of sections. The inter-hamming difference represents the number of unlike bits between the content of one section corresponding to a first operating condition and the content of another section corresponding to a second operating condition that is different from the first operating condition.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a memory array, a comparing circuit, and a calculating circuit. The memory array is configured to store a first response of an under-test device. The comparing circuit is configured to compare the first response with a plurality of responses of the under-test device operated in conditions that are different from each other to generate comparing results. The calculating circuit is configured to output a maximum hamming distance between two of the first response and the plurality of responses according to the comparing results.