Combating Counterfeit Chips with AI and Photonics
The semiconductor industry is a critical piece of the global economy, driving innovation across multiple sectors, including aviation, finance, communications, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. However, it faces a growing challenge beyond the well-publicized shortages of new semiconductor chips: the rise of counterfeit chips. These fake semiconductor devices not only pose a threat to the integrity of products but also carry risks of unwanted surveillance, chip failure, and theft. With an estimated $75 billion market for counterfeit chips within the $500 billion global semiconductor industry, the stakes are high for finding a reliable method for detection.
In a groundbreaking approach, researchers from Purdue University in the United States have revolutionized the fight against counterfeit semiconductors. Merging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with advances in photonic technology, they’ve introduced a new method that shows great promise in curbing the flow of counterfeit chips. This technique, which could significantly mitigate the risks associated with counterfeit devices, is a beacon of hope for maintaining the integrity of the semiconductor industry’s products.
Traditionally, the detection of counterfeit chips has been reliant on embedding security tags within the chips or their packaging. These tags, which utilize technologies such as physical unclonable functions made from arrays of metallic nanomaterials, emit specific light patterns that serve as a unique identifier or “fingerprint” for the chip. However, these security measures are not foolproof; they’re vulnerable to degradation or tampering, which can render them ineffective.
The Purdue team’s novel method, dubbed the Residual Attention-based Processing of Tampering Response (RAPTOR), offers a sophisticated alternative. By embedding gold nanoparticles into the chip packaging, the researchers leverage changes in the light patterns scattered by these particles to identify any tampering or degradation. This process involves capturing dark-field microscope images of the nanoparticle arrays, creating high-contrast visuals crucial for later authentication phases.
“To truly disrupt a counterfeit attempt, the impersonator would not only need to mimic the gold nanoparticles but also replicate their exact placement,” explains Alexander Kildishev, an electrical and computer engineer leading the Purdue research team. This unique requirement significantly raises the bar for successful counterfeiting operations.
The real game-changer in RAPTOR’s effectiveness is the incorporation of an AI model trained to distinguish between naturally occurring degradation and deliberate tampering. According to Kildishev, this was the most formidable challenge the team faced, as the model needed to discern subtle cues indicative of malicious interference. The results, published in Advanced Photonics, are impressive: RAPTOR outpaces conventional counterfeit detection methods by a significant margin, boasting nearly 98% accuracy in pattern authentication with a process time mere fractions of a second.
“Our motivation stemmed from a clear need to enhance chip authentication protocols. By tapping into our extensive knowledge in AI and nanotechnology, we’ve managed to make tangible progress towards this goal,” Kildishev shares. The team’s advancements signify a pivotal step forward in the fight against semiconductor counterfeiting, with the potential to inspire further AI and photonics-based solutions in this arena.
Looking to the future, the Purdue researchers are focused on refining their nanoparticle embedding techniques and further streamlining the authentication process. Kildishev’s vision is to transform this cutting-edge approach into a comprehensive industry solution, marking a significant shift in how semiconductor chips are authenticated and safeguarded against counterfeiting threats.
As the semiconductor industry continues to expand its reach across modern technologies, the importance of securing the supply chain against counterfeit components cannot be overstated. Through innovative approaches like RAPTOR, we move closer to a future where trust in the integrity of semiconductor chips is restored, bolstering the security and reliability of the multitude of technologies they power.
