DLockout: A Design Lockout Technique for Key Obfuscated RTL IP Designs

Advantages

  • Prevents brute-force attacks by locking out after incorrect attempts.
  • Maintains minimal area, power, and performance overhead in implementation.
  • Integrates seamlessly with existing hardware IP obfuscation approaches.

Summary

Intellectual property theft, including piracy and reverse engineering, poses significant risks to the semiconductor industry. Traditional obfuscation techniques often fail to prevent brute-force attacks, leaving designs vulnerable to unauthorized access. These challenges demand effective and efficient solutions to secure hardware IP without introducing high costs or performance penalties.


Our technology, DLock, enhances hardware IP security by integrating a lightweight lockout module with key-based obfuscation. It locks the design after multiple incorrect key attempts while maintaining minimal area and power overhead. This approach ensures robust protection for obfuscated IP, providing a practical and efficient solution to the growing challenges in semiconductor security.

DLockout integration in key obfuscated RTL design

Desired Partnerships

  • License
  • Sponsored Research
  • Co-Development
Patent Information: