Patent ID: 9660806
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: G09C,H04L

Claim:
1. A cryptographic key having an anti-tampering feature, comprising: an array of memory bits oriented along at least one bit line and at least one word line, wherein the at least one word line is part of a first metal layer of the cryptographic key having the anti-tampering feature and the at least one bit line is part of a second metal layer of the cryptographic key having the anti-tampering feature, the second metal layer being present above the first metal layer, wherein each of the memory bits comprises a memory cell, wherein the cryptographic key is stored in the memory cell, and wherein the memory cell is connected to the at least one bit line; and a metallic carbon nanotube interconnect, integrated within the second metal layer, which connects the memory cell to the at least one word line, wherein the metallic carbon nanotube interconnect is the anti-tampering feature which is configured to be removed during a reverse-engineering process that de-layers the array to gain access to the at least one word line, and with it any connection between the memory cell and the at least one word line.