Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns micro-controllers intended to be incorporated in portable objects and, in particular, in objects in card format more commonly called smartcards. 
   The smartcards are generally used in applications where secure storage and processing of confidential data is essential. In particular, they are intended for applications in the field of health, pay television applications, or banking applications, e.g. the electronic purse. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Microcontrollers are programmed automatons produced in integrated circuit format. They apply a series of logic instructions to the data from their internal memories or from the outside world, via an input/output contact stud. 
   Generally, the smartcard microcontrollers are designed using SMC technology. Using this technology, the subassemblies required for the operation of the microcontroller can be integrated in the same circuit, i.e. in particular a central processing unit (CPU), non volatile non rewritable read only memories of type ROM (Read Only Memory), non volatile rewritable memories of type Flash, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or FRAM (Ferromagnetic Random Access Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) volatile memories. 
   Defrauders have developed “current” attacks in order to obtain confidential data managed by the microcontroller and for example keys intended for the implementation of encryption algorithms used in the microcontrollers such as the DES (Data Encryption Standard) or RSA (Rivest Shamir Adelman) algorithms. 
   These attacks are based on the principle according to which the energy Ec μC  consumed by a microcontroller executing in a time interval T an instruction INS applied to operands OPE is always the same and represents a signature. In other words:
 
 Ec   μC  ( T; INS; OPE )≈constant.
 
   Note that, in the above relation, as well as in the relations which follow in this description, the “≈” sign means “nearly equal”. 
   To implement the current attacks, the defrauders connect in particular a resistor R of low value, in particular 1 Ω, in series between the microcontroller power supply source V μC  and its power supply stud VCC. They then display the variations of the voltage R Icc(t) according to the time obtained in response to the execution of several hundred or even several thousand instructions applied to identical similar or different operands, using a computer connected, for example, to a digital oscilloscope which amplify these variations, sample them and digitalise the results obtained for analysis in deferred time. 
   Such attacks, which are non destructive, are extremely dangerous. 
   The manufacturers of microcontrollers and the manufacturers of boards have therefore developed methods to secure the microcontrollers against these attacks. 
   Most of these methods rely on the use of programs which involve triggering operations at pseudo-random times or which involve operations generating noise with considerable random or incorrect information while the instructions are being executed by the microcontroller. 
   However, these methods have numerous disadvantages. The program execution time is long. Considerable memory space is required. Lastly, the confidential data is not protected against an in-depth analysis carried out by the defrauders since the electrical signal, which results from the execution of the instructions, is still present. 
   Another method, described in the French patent application No. 98 01305, and not made public on the priority date of this request, suggests filtering the current with a low-pass filter cell. This method simply attenuates the electrical signatures and by analysing them in detail, certain confidential data can still be accessed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above, a technical problem which the invention proposes to solve is to secure a microcontroller which will be incorporated in a portable object of type smartcard, including at least:
         a contact stud to supply the said microcontroller with current;   a data input and/or output contact stud;   an efficient data processing part; and   confidential data,
 
against current attacks.
       

   The solution to this problem of the invention concerns such a microcontroller, characterised in that it also includes:
         means to vary the supply voltage of the efficient data processing part, the said means being able to secure the said confidential data against current attacks.       

   Given that the energy consumption of the said efficient data processing part may be considered as being directly proportional to the square of its supply voltage, a variation of this voltage disturbs the electrical signatures and makes its difficult, or even impossible, to analyse them. 
   Preferably, the means used to vary the supply voltage of the efficient data processing part include: a time variable resistor connected in series with the microcontroller supply contact stud, this variable resistor being for example a switch open during time intervals T off  and closed during time intervals T on , the cyclic ratio T off /(T on +T off ) varying according to time, the period T on +T off  varying according to time. 
   Moreover, the means used to vary the supply voltage of the efficient data processing part preferably include a pulse generator, this pulse generator including a voltage threshold crossing synchronisation circuit across the terminals of the efficient data processing part. 
   Lastly, the means used to vary the supply voltage of the efficient data processing part also preferably include a capacitor, this capacitor being for example one whose capacitance is greater than 0.1 nanofarad. 
   In certain advantageous modes of realisation of the invention, the microcontroller includes a main layer of silicon whose active face, which includes a circuit and supports the contact studs, is sealed to an additional protective layer via a sealing layer, the means to vary the supply voltage of the efficient data processing part being located in the additional protective layer. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     It will be easier to understand the invention on reading the non limiting description below, written with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: 
       FIG. 1  shows, in perspective, a smartcard according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows, in cross-section, a smartcard according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows, in front view, the contact pads of a smartcard according to the invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows, in perspective, a microcontroller according to the invention; 
       FIG. 5  schematises the various component parts of a microcontroller according to the invention; 
       FIG. 6A  represents the active layer of the microcontroller according to the invention shown on  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6B  represents the additional layer of the microcontroller according to the invention shown on  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  schematises an SMC inverter of an efficient data processing part of a microcontroller according to the invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows the variations of the command signal V e , of the supply current i cc  and of the output signal V s  of the SMC inverter of  FIG. 7  against time; 
       FIG. 9  is a wiring diagram of a microcontroller according to the invention; 
       FIGS. 10A  to  10 D show, respectively, the variations of signal S, of the current I CAP , of the voltage V μCE  and of the supply current Icc of a microcontroller according to the invention against time; 
       FIG. 11  is a comparative recording of the variations in current Icc against time for a microcontroller in the state of the art technology (signature A) then for a microcontroller secured according to the invention (signature B); 
       FIG. 12  is a wiring diagram of a special mode of realisation of a microcontroller according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 13  shows the variations of signals S 1 , S 2  and S 3  against time, for a microcontroller corresponding to the mode of realisation of FIG.  12 . 
   

   The portable objects according to the invention are standardised objects defined in particular in the various section of standard ISO7816 whose content is incorporated in this description by giving the reference. In the mode of realisation shown on  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , such an object takes the form of a roughly rectangular thin card  1  including a body  2  integrated to an electronic module  3 . 
   The body  2  of the card consists, for example, of five plastic laminated sheets  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24  and includes a cavity  25  to incorporate the module  3 . 
   Module  3  includes a microcontroller  30  whose contact studs  300  are electrically connected, via conducting wires  31 , to contact pads  32  flush with the surface of the card body  2 . These contact pads  32  rest on a thickness  33  of an epoxy glass type dielectric. The assembly microcontroller  30  and conducting wires  31  is coated with a protective resin  34 . 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the mode of realisation shown on  FIG. 4 , the microcontroller  30  takes the form of a right parallelepiped of thickness about 180 μm and area about 10 mm 2 . 
   This microcontroller  30  includes a main layer  301  of silicon whose active face, which includes a circuit and supports the contact studs  300 , is sealed to an additional protective layer  302  of silicon using a sealing layer  303 . This additional layer  302  has openings  304  located opposite the contact studs  300  so that they can be connected to the contact pads  32 . 
   In practice, there are five contact studs  300 . They are the studs VCC, RST, CLK, I/O and GND respectively connected to the contact pads VCC, RST, CLK, I/O and GND of module  3 . The supply contact stud VCC is intended to power the microcontroller. The reset stud RST is intended to transmit a reset signal to the microcontroller, the clock stud CLK is intended to transmit a clock signal to the microcontroller, the input/output stud I/O is intended to enable the exchange of logical data between the microcontroller and the outside world, and the ground stud GND is used to connect the microcontroller to ground. 
   The integrated circuit of the microcontroller  30  according to the invention includes several active parts. In particular, there is an interface microcontroller part μCI and an efficient data processing part μCE shown on FIG.  5 . 
   The interface microcontroller part or interface microcontroller μCI preferably only includes means which consume energy that is not likely to reveal information concerning the confidential data processed by the microcontroller. In practice, the interface microcontroller μCI includes for example a loading pump or interface circuits associated with the contact studs RST, CLK and I/O. The contact stud RST mainly concerns the means to detect an initialisation signal and associated means to initialise the microcontroller. The contact stud CLK concerns the means to detect frequencies between an upper limit and a lower limit. Lastly, the contact stud I/O concerns the means enabling the microcontroller to communicate by switching from an input mode to an output mode or vice versa. 
   The efficient data processing part or efficient microcontroller μCE is part of the microcontroller  30  which includes subassemblies whose inverters are intended for the processing of the confidential data. Consequently, it represents the part of the microcontroller likely to provide the defrauders with information on this confidential data. In practice, it includes the central processing unit (CPU), possibly a cryptoprocessor associated with this unit, data and address bus command circuits as well as the RAM, ROM and EEPROM memories or all memories of another type. 
   The microcontroller  30  according to the invention also includes a pulse generator GEN, a capacitor CAP and a switch COM. The pulse generator, the capacitor and the switch are the means used to vary the supply voltage of the efficient microcontroller. 
   The pulse generator GEN consists, for example, of two oscillators each composed of a Schmitt type inverter with hysteresis on the input circuit, a capacitor connected between the inverter input and the ground, and a resistor connected between the output of this inverter and its input, the said two oscillators being coupled together by a resistor to form a modulated frequency signal source. In addition, the pulse generator GEN preferably includes a voltage crossing synchronisation circuit for the threshold voltage V threshold  of the voltage VμCE across the terminals of the efficient microcontroller. This circuit may consist of a voltage comparator whose positive input is connected to a reference voltage, the voltage V threshold , whose negative input is connected to the voltage across the terminals of the efficient microcontroller, and whose output is connected to the input D of a flip-flop synchronised by the synchronisation signal from the modulated frequency signal source. 
   The capacitor CAP has a capacitance greater than approximately 0.1 nanofarad, especially between approximately 1 nanofarad and approximately 10 nanofarads, for example of the order of 6 nanofarads. Note that the electrodes of a 1.5 nanofarad capacitor have an area of approximately 1 mm 2 . Also, a 6 nanofarad capacitor has an area of approximately 4 mm 2 . 
   In the invention the switch COM can be replaced by a time variable resistor connected in series with the microcontroller power supply contact stud VCC. 
   In the invention, the contact studs I/O, RST and CLK are connected by electrical connection lines to the interface microcontroller μCI. The contact stud GND is connected by electrical connection lines to the pulse generator GEN, to the capacitor CAP, to the efficient microcontroller μCE and to the interface microcontroller μCI. In addition, the contact stud VCC is connected by electrical connection lines to the pulse generator GEN, to the switch COM and to the interface microcontroller μCI. In addition, the switch COM is connected by electrical connection lines to the pulse generator GEN and to the capacitor CAP. Lastly, an electrical connection line connects the efficient microcontroller μCE to the electrical connection line connecting the capacitor CAP to the switch COM and an electrical connection line connects the generator GEN to this last line so as to monitor the voltage V μCE  to compare it with the voltage V threshold . 
   For a microcontroller of the type shown in  FIG. 4 , the above-mentioned parts are arranged as shown on  FIGS. 6A and 6B  where the additional layer  302  ( FIG. 6B ) includes the pulse generator GEN, the capacitor CAP and the switch COM, and the main layer  301  (FIG.  6 A), which supports the contact studs, includes the efficient microcontroller parts μCE and interface microcontroller μCI. 
   In addition, the main layer  301  includes three interconnection studs P 1 , P 2  and P 3 , a first stud P 1  connected to the stud VCC, a second stud P 2  connected to the efficient microcontroller and a third stud P 3  connected to the stud GND. 
   Similarly, the additional layer  302  includes three interconnection studs P 1 ′, P 2 ′ and P 3 ′ which will be fitted, in the microcontroller, opposite and vertically above the studs P 1 , P 2  and P 3 , respectively. The first stud P 1 ′ is connected firstly to the switch COM and secondly to the pulse generator GEN, the second stud P 2 ′ is connected to the common point between the switch COM and the capacitor CAP, and the third stud P 3 ′ is connected firstly to the capacitor CAP and secondly to the pulse generator GEN. 
   In the microcontroller  30  shown on  FIG. 4 , the studs P 1 , P 2  and P 3  are connected electrically to studs P 1 ′, P 2 ′ and P 3 ′ respectively via conducting bosses. 
   Obviously, the microcontroller described above only represents one mode of realisation according to the invention and it is quite possible to design other modes of realisation of microcontrollers which do not have a multi-layer structure but a more traditional structure where the various above-mentioned parts: contact studs, interface and efficient microcontrollers, capacitor, pulse generator and switch, are integrated in a single layer of silicon substrate not covered with an additional layer. 
   The energy Ec μC  consumed by a microcontroller according to the invention is equal to the sum of the energies Ec μCI , Ec μCE  and Ec M  consumed respectively by the interface microcontroller, the efficient microcontroller and the pulse generator/capacitor/switch assembly. We therefore obtain the relation:
 
 Ec   μC   =Ec   μCI   +Ec   μCE   +Ec   M 
 
   The energy Ec μCI  consumed by the interface microcontroller does not reveal the instructions executed by the microcontroller  30  and hence does not reveal the confidential data processed during the execution of the said instructions. 
   The elementary gates of the efficient microcontroller are inverters  40  as shown on FIG.  7 . These inverters  40  consist of a P type transistor  401  connected in series with an N type transistor  402 . A voltage V μCE  is applied to the P type transistor and the N type transistor is connected to the ground GND. A capacitor C 1  is associated with each inverter  40 . The capacitance of this capacitor C 1  is equivalent to the physical capacitances of the inverter interconnection lines and to the capacitances of the grids forming the P and N type transistors of the inverter possibly connected below the inverter shown on FIG.  7 . 
   From a functional point of view, the P and N type transistors are controlled by a common command signal V e  corresponding to the input voltage of the inverter. When this signal carries a logical 0 (V e =GND), the P type transistor is on and the N type transistor is off so that a logical 1 is obtained in output (V s =V μCE ) and the capacitor C 1  charges up. However, when this signal carries a logical 1 (V s =V μCE ), the P type transistor is off and the N type transistor is on so that a logical 0 is obtained in output (V s =GND) and the capacitor C, discharges. 
     FIG. 8  shows the variations of the command signal V e , of the supply current i cc  and of the output signal V s  against time t, when the working frequency of the inverter is equal to F μCE , which is generally the clock frequency imposed by the terminal via the contact stud CLK, but which may be a special frequency, if the microcontroller can generate an internal clock signal. 
   When the voltage V s  is constant, the P and N type transistors are off and the inverter  40  is crossed by a leakage current not shown on  FIG. 8  whose average value is I f  over a period 1/F μCE . The energy dissipated, or static energy E s , is then equal to:
 
 E   s   =V   μCE   I   f   /F   μCE .
 
   When the voltage V e  varies so that the signal at the inverter input changes from logical 1 to logical 0 or vice versa, the current i cc  varies as shown on FIG.  8 . 
   The inverter consumes a short circuit energy E CC , equal to:
 
 E   CC   =V   μCK   I   SC   /F   μCE 
 
where I SC  is the average value of the short circuit current over the period 1/F μCE .
 
   Moreover, when the voltage V e  varies so that the signal at the inverter input changes from logical 1 to logical 0, the capacitor C 1  charges up until it reaches a voltage of V μCE  and the dynamic energy E d  then consumed equals the sum of the energy stored in the capacitor C 1  as electrostatic energy and the energy dissipated in the limiting equivalent resistance of the charging current, in this case the P type transistor, i.e.:
 
 E   d =1/2  C   1    V   2   μCE +1/2  C   1    V   2   μCE   =C   1    V   2   μCE .
 
   Lastly, when the voltage V e  varies so that the signal at the inverter input changes from logical 0 to logical 1, the capacitor C 1  discharges across the N type transistor, dissipating the energy previously stored and equal to 1/2 C 1  V 2   μCE . 
   For an inverter produced using SMC technology, E cc  is less than 20% of E d  and E s  is much less than E d . Consequently, the energy E d  consumed by the inverter i is mainly dynamic and we consider that E s  is roughly equal to E d . 
   Consequently, the energy consumed by the efficient microcontroller on one clock transition is, when the said efficient microcontroller is supplied by a voltage V μCE , roughly equal to: 
         Ec   pCR     =       ∑     i   =   1       1   -   N       ⁢       α   i     ⁢     C   1     ⁢     V     μ   ⁢           ⁢   C   ⁢           ⁢   π     2             
 
where α=1 when the inverter i consumes energy by in particular making a switching operation during this transition and α=0 when the inverter i does not consume energy by in particular not making a switching operation during this transition and where N is the number of inverters in the efficient microcontroller.
 
   The energy consumed by the efficient microcontroller therefore varies according to the square of its supply voltage V μCE . 
   The energy Ec M  consumed by the means of the invention is equal to the energy Ec GEN  consumed by the pulse generator GEN plus the energy Ec COM  consumed by the switch COM and the energy Ec CAP  consumed by the capacitor CAP. Thus:
 
 Ec   M   =Ec   GEN   +Ec   COM   +Ec   CAP 
 
   The energy Ec GEN  consumed by the pulse generator GEN is of the same type as the energy consumed by the interface microcontroller. It gives, in fact, no indication concerning the confidential data processed when executing the instructions. 
   The energy Ec COM  consumed by the switch COM is in fact the energy dissipated by this switch when the capacitor CAP charges up. Thus:
 
 Ec   COM   =Ec   CAP  while it is charging.
 
   The energy Ec CAP  consumed by the capacitor CAP depends on the state, open or closed, of the switch COM. The open or closed state of the switch COM is controlled by the pulse generator GEN. This generator can in fact send a command signal S to open or close the switch COM. Depending on the signal S received, this switch is closed or open. It is closed during time intervals T on . It is open during time intervals T off . 
   During the time interval T off  the capacitor discharges and the energy it consumes is equal to Ec CAP (T off ) such that:
 
 Ec   CAP ( T   off )=−1/2  C ΔV   2 
 
where ΔV represents the voltage variation across the terminals of the capacitor during T off .
 
   During the time interval T on , the capacitor supplied by the current Icc charges up, and its energy consumed Ec CAP (T on ) is equal to:
 
 Ec   CAP ( T   on )=1/2  C ΔV   2 
 
where ΔV represents the voltage variation across the terminals of the capacitor during T on .
 
   A defrauder only has access to the total microcontroller supply current and hence to the total energy consumed by the microcontroller. 
   During the time interval T off , the energy consumed by the microcontroller is equal to the energy consumed by the interface microcontroller. The efficient microcontroller is in fact supplied by the capacitor CAP which is discharging. Thus, in T off :
 
 Ec   μC   =Ec   μCI .
 
   As we have seen earlier, Ec μCI  does not reveal any information concerning the switching of the efficient microcontroller inverters and hence no information concerning the confidential data processed. Consequently, with the invention, the defrauder cannot access the said data during the time intervals T off . 
   However, during the time interval T on , the energy consumed by the microcontroller is equal to the energy consumed by the interface microcontroller, plus the energy consumed by the means according to the invention and plus the energy consumed by the efficient microcontroller. Thus:
 
 Ec   μC   =Ec   μCI   +Ec   μCE   +Ec   M .
 
   Given an instruction INS applied to the same operands OPE and executed by the microcontroller according to the invention. In practice, this instruction INS is executed on several clock transitions. On each clock transition, part of the instruction INS is executed and some of the N inverters of the efficient microcontroller change state for this purpose. 
   The energy consumed by the efficient microcontroller during such a transition is directly proportional to the square of the voltage V μCE  across the terminals of the said microcontroller. 
   Since the capacitor CAP is connected in parallel with the efficient microcontroller, the voltage V μCE  across the terminals of the efficient microcontroller is the same as the voltage V CAP  across the terminals of the capacitor CAP. The voltage across the terminals of the efficient microcontroller therefore varies constantly. 
   Consequently, the energy consumed to execute part of the instruction INS and, all the more so, for a complete instructions INS, is not always the same. 
   In fast, with identical instructions applied to the same operands, the difference between the energies consumed by the efficient microcontroller is even greater since they are related to the square of the supply voltage V μCE  of this microcontroller. 
   As a result of the above, the principle mentioned in the preamble of this description according to which Ec μC  (T; INS; OPE)=constant is no longer true in the invention and the defrauder is therefore unable to access the confidential information. 
     FIGS. 10A  to  10 D show respectively the signal S, the supply current I CAP  of the capacitor CAP, the supply voltage V μCE  of the efficient microcontroller and the supply current Icc of the microcontroller against time t. 
   As shown on  FIG. 10A , the time intervals T off  and T on  vary from one period T s =T off +T on  to another. The cyclic ratio T off /(T on +T off ) therefore varies with time and also randomly, which is an advantage, hence making it unpredictable for the defrauder. Moreover, since the switch COM is not closed at the exact moment when the voltage across the terminals of the capacitor reaches the threshold value V actual  but on the first clock tick following this moment, and since the time interval between the said moment and this first clock tick is variable, the value of T s =1/F s  varies randomly. In addition to the variations of T s  described above, there are the variations of T s  due to the way that the pulse generator is made, including two coupled oscillators with Schmitt type inverter. 
   Also, as shown on  FIG. 10B , the supply current I CAP  of the capacitor CAP is positive during the time intervals T on  during which the capacitor charges up. However, I CAP  decreases during these intervals until I CAP (t)=0. Consequently, the capacitor has its maximum charge when the switch opens. Furthermore, the current I CAP  is negative during the time intervals T off  during which the capacitor discharges to supply the efficient microcontroller. 
   As shown on  FIG. 10C , the supply voltage V μCE  of the efficient microcontroller increases during the time intervals T on  and decreases during the time intervals T off . ΔV represents the depth of the voltage modulation across the capacitor terminals. 
   Lastly, as shown on  FIG. 10D , the supply current Icc of the microcontroller is equal to I μCI  during T off  then increases during T on , where it is equal to I μCI +I CAP +I μCE . 
     FIG. 11  shows the variations of current I CC  against t, for a microcontroller in the state of the art technology (signature A), and also for the same microcontroller according to the invention (signature B) for the execution of identical instructions applied to the same operands. Although these instructions are executed in the same way in time, the curves are totally different. The current peaks seen on the first curve do not appear on the second curve. The time intervals T off  and T on  are clearly seen on the second curve. It is therefore extremely difficult to determine any details concerning the confidential data from the second curve. 
   Obviously, the description of the mode of realisation of the invention described above does not limit the invention which must be understood in the broad sense. Other more complicated modes of realisation could provide extremely interesting results. This refers for example to the mode of realisation described in  FIG. 12  showing a microcontroller equipped with two capacitors CAP 1  and CAP 2 , three switches COM 1 , COM 2  and COM 3  and three command signals S 1 , S 2  and S 3  to open and close the three switches COM 1 , COM 2  and COM 3 , respectively. In this mode of realisation, the capacitor CAP 1  is discharged at a reference voltage, for example GND, through the switch COM 3  while switches COM 1  and COM 2  are open, before being recharged through switch COM 1  while switches COM 2  and COM 3  are open. The capacitor CAP 1 , once charged through switch COM 1 , discharges into capacitor CAP 2  in parallel with the efficient microcontroller μCE through switch COM 2  while switches COM 1  and COM 2  are open.  FIG. 13  showed the variations of the signals S 1 , S 2  and S 3  against time. The mode of realisation provides a means of keeping the energy consumption constant irrespective of the activity of the μCE. Confidential information can no longer be obtained by analysing the current Icc. This mode of realisation increases the energy consumption of the efficient microcontroller.

Technology Category: 3