Enabling IC Traceability via Blockchain Pegged to Embedded PUF

Abstract

Globalization of IC supply chain has increased the risk of counterfeit, tampered, and re-packaged chips in the market. Counterfeit electronics poses a security risk in safety critical applications like avionics, SCADA systems, and defense. It also affects the reputation of legitimate suppliers and causes financial losses. Hence, it becomes necessary to develop traceability solutions to ensure the integrity of supply chain, from the time of fabrication to the end of product-life, which allows a customer to verify the provenance of a device or a system. In this article, we present an IC traceability solution based on blockchain. A blockchain is a public immutable database that maintains a continuously growing list of data records secured from tampering and revision. Over the lifetime of an IC, all ownership transfer information is recorded and archived in a blockchain. This safe, verifiable method prevents any party from altering or challenging the legitimacy of the information being exchanged. However, a chain of sales record is not enough to ensure provenance of an IC. There is a need for clone-proof method for securely binding the identity of an IC to the blockchain information. In this article, we propose a method of IC supply chain traceability via blockchain pegged to embedded physically unclonable function (PUF). The blockchain provides ownership transfer record, while the PUF provides unique identification for an IC allowing it to be linked uniquely to a blockchain. Our proposed solution automates hardware and software protocols using blockchain-powered Smart Contract that allows supply chain participants to authenticate, track, trace, analyze, and provision chips throughout their entire life cycle.

When Blockchain Meets Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review on Current Development and Potential Applications

“…Traceability [58] and transparency [59] issues are increasingly drawing more attention, and this phenomenon explains the penetration point where blockchain could be applied in SCM. We also found early evidence that these applications may cover various sectors such as the chemical [60], construction [61], [62], airline [63]- [65], and manufacturing [66], [67].…”

Blockchain smart contracts: Applications, challenges, and future trends

“…Smart contracts are used to manage shipment conditions, automate payments, legitimize receivers, and also issue a refund in case of violations to pre-defined conditions. Islam and Kundu [ 43 ] IC Traceability method It is a method of integrated circuit (IC) supply chain traceability based on blockchain. Smart contracts allow supply chain participants to authenticate, track, trace, analyze, and provision chips throughout their entire life cycle.…”

“…Smart contracts can be used to automate the transfer of various types of ownership of assets, property, and value and therefore, lead to more visible and less-intermediated working processes. In this context, several studies using smart contracts have been proposed for supply chain management of foods [ 11 , 17 , 53 ], manufactured products [ 24 , 43 , 50 , 102 ], shipped items [ 39 ], bio-drugs [ 105 ], and imported products [ 108 ]. For instance, Casado-Vara et al [ 17 ] have proposed a model for agriculture tracking involving blockchain, smart contracts, and a multi-agent system.…”

Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs): A New Frontier in Supply Chain Product and Asset Tracking

“…As a result, the process can be lengthy, leading to increased time, cost, and risk for all parties. The use of PUFs can effectively protect supplier IP, streamline the supplier engagement process, and build trust among integrated circuit supply chain actors (Islam et al, 2019).…”