Method and apparatus for detection and identification of counterfeit and substandard electronics

Inventors

Keller, III, Walter John • Portune, Andrew Richard • Chornenky, Todd Eric • Davis, William Anthony

Assignees

Nokomis Inc

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a condition or authenticity of one or more electronic devices includes an enclosure having an antenna integrated therewithin, a fixture mounted within a hollow interior of the enclosure, the fixture being configured to receive the one or more electronic devices and connect one or more signals to each of the one or more electronic devices and a sensor and controller assembly connected to the antenna and configured to process a signature of an emission of a radiofrequency (RF) energy from of one or more electronic devices having the one or more signals connected thereto.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides an apparatus for detecting a condition of one or more electronic devices by using electromagnetic energy emissions received at a receiver at an antenna. The electronic devices are disposed in a fixture and are connected, through the fixture, to at least one of modulated power and modulated ground signals and a biased clock signal. A processing device detects the condition based on a signature of the emission of electromagnetic energy received at the receiver.

The apparatus includes a signal output module that provides the modulated power/ground and a clock path to the fixture, together with a power source, a modulation source, an interface and bias board, a clock source, and a bias tee. The modulation source modulates at least one of the power signal and a ground signal, and the bias tee couples the clock source to the power source so that the fixture receives a biased clock signal. In this way, the received emissions include effects of the applied modulation and biased clock connection, and the condition is detected from the received emission signature.

Dependent claim refinements emphasize distinguishing electronic device conditions by pattern analysis of the received electromagnetic energy signature and comparing the analysis result to baseline patterns, including determining whether the detected condition corresponds to a genuine electronic device. Other refinements further define system architecture by positioning a signal output module remotely from the receiver and processing device, and by specifying an enclosure with a movable drawer and electromechanical actuator to enable placing or removing devices in the fixture.

Claims Coverage

The document contains two independent claims: one directed to the apparatus for detecting a condition of electronic devices based on an emission signature, and another directed to a signal output module that produces modulated power/ground signals and a biased clock signal. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on a signal output module that drives a fixture-connected device with modulated power/ground and a biased clock, and on a receiver-and-processing device workflow that detects the condition from an emission signature.

The claim set covers an apparatus that applies modulated power/ground signals and a biased clock signal to electronic devices via a fixture and detects the devices’ condition from a received emission signature. Dependent claim coverage adds signature-based pattern analysis with baseline comparison, classification of the condition as corresponding to a genuine electronic device, architectural refinements such as remote placement of the signal output module, modulation-related constraints, and an enclosure/access mechanism for placing or removing devices in the fixture.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found