SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal presents a plan for developing and evaluating new high-voltage technologies capable of permanently destroying the functionality of semiconductor memory and processor circuits as well as any residual data remanence stored in these units. The envisioned technologies can be implemented on the chip, pc-board, or device platform level--equally effectively for new designs as well as retrofits of older equipment. This will allow for the quick physical self-destruction of critical components in secure systems should the systems be physically compromised. The proposed effort will evaluate, design, and demonstrate the technology in laboratory trials. The program in this proposal has the goals of laboratory implementation and verification of miniature "Marx-bank" pulsers that can be integrated into standard pc-board designs, as well as demonstration of on-command destruction of memory and processor semiconductors by high voltage discharge from these pulsers.

Keywords:
HIGH VOLTAGE DISCHARGE, MICROCIRCUIT DESTRUCTION

This proposal presents a plan for developing and perfecting new high-voltage technology capable of permanently destroying the functionality, the residual data remanence, and internal structure of semiconductor memory, semiconductor processors, and many other micro-devices that may contain secured information that must be protected from unauthorized tampering. The envisioned technology can be implemented on the semiconductor die, IC chip, pc-board, or device platform level equally effectively with components specifically customized for this technology or retrofitted at a later stage in their incorporation into secure systems. The proposed effort will: conduct basic R&D to perfect and optimize the technology; pursue advanced fabrication development to increase the capabilities of the technology and make the technology amenable to large scale production; and produce advanced prototypes to test and demonstrate the technology in real anti-tamper system applications.

Keywords:
High-Voltage, Self-Destruction, Anti-Tamper