Locking by Untuning: A Lock-Less Approach for Analog and Mixed-Signal IC Security

We propose an antipiracy security approach for programmable analog and mixed-signal (AMS) integrated circuits (ICs). The relies on functionality locking by leveraging the inherent programmability utilizing configuration settings as secret keys or, equivalently, programming bits key bits. When invalid are applied, circuit is untuned and, a result, its breaks, i.e., at least one of performances violates specification. As long calibration algorithm that produces can be kept secret, proposed serve countermeasure against all types counterfeiting, cloning, overbuilding, remarking, recycling. An important advantage it lock-less. It leaves design intact, there no change to flow, performance penalty area or power overheads due lock operation. demonstrate $\Sigma \Delta $ analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 194-bit complex used in context highly digitized, multistandard RF receivers.