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

Inventors

Keller, III, Walter J. • 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 invention provides a non-destructive way to detect counterfeit or substandard electronic devices by using an integrated antenna enclosure that both RF-shields the device under test and functions as the antenna for capturing emissions. A fixture electrically connects limited device pins of an electronic component to receive an applied electrical signal, and the hollow interior of the enclosure is accessed via a drawer or movable mechanism that positions the fixture for testing while maintaining an RF-enclosed measurement environment.

Electromagnetic energy emitted by the electronic component in response to the applied electrical signal is captured with the enclosure antenna. A sensor and controller assembly includes a wideband RF receiver that digitizes captured emissions and converts time-domain received signals to frequency-domain data. The resulting RF emission signature is then subjected to signature pattern analysis using automated detection algorithms, including anomaly detection.

The document also describes embodiments and configurations of the enclosure and integrated antenna geometries, including pyramidal, cube with antenna arrays, and horn/sphere concepts, with antenna elements integrated into enclosure walls. Processing and control features include automated logic flow and the possibility of robotic handling of electronic components, including optional variation of environmental RF-related parameters, to support consistent signature capture and classification.

Claims Coverage

The document includes three independent method claims. Each independent claim centers on capturing an emission of electromagnetic energy using an enclosure antenna after applying an electrical signal through a drawer-accessed fixture, with later steps adding emission-signature processing and, in one case, authentication/quality classification.

Across the independent claims, the core coverage is achieved by inserting an electronic-component fixture into a hollow antenna enclosure, applying an electrical signal through the fixture, and capturing emissions with the enclosure antenna. The claims further support drawer-based enclosure access and add emission-signature processing with a sensor and controller assembly, with additional dependent claim coverage enabling deviation detection and determination of authentic, counterfeit, or substandard states.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications