ASICid

ASICid is a concept in semiconductor security describing a hardware-embedded, device-unique identifier assigned to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The identifier is designed to be cryptographically verifiable and bound to the specific die or package, enabling authentication of the device, verification of provenance, and enforcement of licensing, warranty, and service policies.

Design and implementation: ASICid can be generated and provisioned during manufacturing. Common approaches include physically unclonable functions (PUFs) that derive a unique secret from silicon variability, fuse-based one-time programmable memory, ROM-stored serialized IDs, or secure elements that protect keys and attest to the device’s identity. The identity is typically tied to cryptographic keys and verified through a challenge–response or signing scheme.

Applications: The ASICid supports supply chain security by allowing manufacturers and customers to verify authenticity and track provenance. It also enables feature licensing and post-sale service gating, inventory and warranty management, and anti-counterfeiting measures in sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment.

Security and privacy: A robust ASICid design must protect the secret material from extraction and the identifiers from replay. Provisioning should occur in secure facilities, with revocation and update mechanisms for compromised devices. Because device identities can enable tracking, implementations should balance security with privacy and comply with applicable regulations.

Industry status: There is no universally adopted standard for ASICid. Similar concepts exist under different names—chip IDs, die IDs, or secure-element identifiers—in various vendor security offerings, with details and interoperability varying by manufacturer and application.