| CPC H05K 1/0275 (2013.01) [G06F 21/86 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A method comprising:
during an initialization step:
generating a reference signal;
providing the reference signal to a terminal of an integrated circuit, wherein the terminal is electrically connected to a functional circuit of the integrated circuit and to a printed circuit board (PCB) connection external to the integrated circuit;
receiving a first response signal at the terminal in response to the reference signal;
storing, in a memory of the integrated circuit, one or more characteristics of the first response signal, wherein the one or more characteristics of the first response signal include any one or more attributes that describe the first response signal; and
during a verification step:
providing the reference signal to the terminal of the integrated circuit and receiving a second response signal;
comparing, by a comparator circuit of the integrated circuit, a first characteristic of the one or more characteristics of the first response signal to a corresponding characteristic of one or more characteristics of the second response signal to generate a comparison result that indicates a difference between the first characteristic and the corresponding characteristic;
determining, by the integrated circuit, that the comparison result indicates tampering with an electrical connection on the PCB when the difference between the first characteristic and the corresponding characteristic meets a criterion; and
providing, by the integrated circuit, an indication of the tampering when the comparison result indicates the tampering.
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