An artificial fingerprint device (AFD): a study of identification number applications utilizing characteristics variation of polycrystalline silicon TFTs

Author

Maeda, Shigenobu ; Kuriyama, Hirotada ; Ipposhi, Takashi ; Maegawa, Shigeto ; Inoue, Yasuo ; Inuishi, Masahide ; Kotani, Norihiko ; Nishimura, Tadashi

Author_Institution

Mitsubishi Electr. Corp., Hyogo, Japan

Volume

50

Issue

6

fYear

2003

fDate

6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1451

Lastpage

1458

Abstract

An idea for obtaining unique identification (ID) numbers using polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a logic LSI compatible process is proposed. Like an actual human fingerprint, the characteristic variations of poly-Si TFTs are utilized for ID numbers in LSIs. The variation of poly-Si TFT characteristics is random, and this method offers unique, nonalterable, and nonduplicable numbers without any special processes, unlike other methods such as flash memory and mask ROM. These characteristics are highly suitable for ID number applications. The device physics of poly-Si TFTs for realizing the stable recognition of ID numbers was studied and a recognition circuit is proposed. The design guidelines for the grain size of poly-Si and AFD applications are also discussed.

Keywords

CMOS logic circuits; VLSI; elemental semiconductors; fingerprint identification; grain size; identification technology; large scale integration; random number generation; security; silicon; thin film transistors; ID number applications; Si; artificial fingerprint device; chip ID numbers; chip identification; design guidelines; grain size; identification number applications; logic LSI compatible process; nonalterable ID numbers; nonduplicable ID numbers; poly-Si thin-film transistors; polycrystalline silicon TFTs; polysilicon TFTs; system LSIs; Circuits; Fingerprint recognition; Flash memory; Humans; Large scale integration; Logic devices; Physics; Read only memory; Silicon; Thin film transistors;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electron Devices, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9383

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TED.2002.808526

Filename

1213816