The key is implementing slight variations in the production process. When this is done, minute details such as thickness and density can give a microchip its own unique print, making it harder to be counterfeited.
Scientists from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute want to reduce electronic components’ susceptibility to being counterfeited by employing PUF. It’s an unorthodox process where slight variations in detail and components can leave a ‘fingerprint’ on the product.
PUF stands for physical unclone-able functions and if it’s implemented throughout German industry it could help curb the annual losses suffered from counterfeiting. The losses are no joke, running up to six billion Euros every year.
Though a whole ecosystem of counter-piracy and copyright measures are available to manufacturers, it has obviously done little to protect them from the nefarious deeds of counterfeiters. Hopefully, the PUF can go a long way in checking such activity; if it really does prove effective.
Via Gizmag
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A Fingerprint For Microchips? Totally Possible Says German Scientists (C) 2010 Geeky Gadgets
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