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Problem: Traditional Key-injection Complicates Inventory Management
Semiconductor manufacturers want to be responsive to swings in market demand. But legacy root key creation/storage methods, such as key injection and storage in OTP, require rigid, “early-in-life” personalization. This leads to problems such as complexity, longer lead time, and occasional inventory write-offs.
Drawback of Legacy Methods
Manufacturing
- Key management adds complexity and liabilities
- Key storage mechanisms depend on chip technology process and fabrication plant which adds costs and time to market
Inventory
OEM-specific keys make a rigid inventory build
- Complex management
- Potential for inventory write-offs
- Higher Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)
Benefits of SRAM PUF Approach
Manufacturing
- No need to handle keys, no supply chain liabilities
- No additional hardware for secure key storage required
Inventory
- Common hardware inventory for all OEM customers
- Secure, even in a non-trustworthy supply chain
- Precision management of build inventory
- Lower Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)
Contract Manufacturer / OEM / In the field
Just-in-time key management: generation of unclonable device-unique keys from the SRAM PUF
