Patent ID: 8099783

Claim:
An integrated circuit security apparatus comprising: a pattern generator, the pattern generator having a first signal output; a driver circuit configured to receive the first signal from the pattern generator and provide the first signal to a first end of a first security trace using a first output of the driver circuit, the driver circuit being further configured to: generate a second signal that is complimentary in phase and amplitude to the first signal, and provide the second signal to a first end of a second security trace using a second output of the driver circuit; the first security trace including a metal shield having a first end coupled to receive the first signal from the driver circuit, the first security trace being configured to transmit the first signal and output the transmitted first signal using a second end of the first security trace; a first conductor coupled to the first output of the driver circuit and an input of a first comparator, the first conductor being configured to carry the first signal from the driver circuit to the first comparator; the second security trace including a metal shield having a first end coupled to receive the second signal from the driver circuit, the second security trace being configured to transmit the second signal and output the transmitted second signal using a second end of the second security trace, the second security trace arranged parallel to the first security trace; a second conductor coupled to the second output of the driver circuit and an input of a second comparator, the second conductor being configured to carry the second signal from the driver circuit to the second comparator, wherein the first conductor is separated from the second conductor; the first comparator coupled to the first conductor and the second end of the first security trace and configured to compare the first signal output from the driver circuit and received at the first comparator using the first conductor with the transmitted first signal received from the second end of the first security trace; and the second comparator coupled to the second conductor and the second end of the second security trace and configured to compare the second signal output from the driver circuit and received at the second comparator using the second conductor with the transmitted second signal received from the second end of the second security trace.