Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for using the impedance inhomogeneity pattern (IIP) of a transmission line, or one or more segments thereof, to verify the identity of the transmission line and/or detect whether or not the transmission line has been altered or tampered with. Because the impedance inhomogeneity pattern of a transmission line is unique, unpredictable, and uncontrollable, it can be used as a physical unclonable function (PUF). The IIP can be obtained by a method such as frequency domain reflectometry or time domain reflectometry, and is then compared with a previously stored intrinsic IIP obtained from a transmission line (or segment(s)) prior to first use through the use of, for example, correlation or coherence functions. The method can be used on any transmission line, including electrical, optical and acoustic transmission lines. The method is useful for enabling or enhancing physical layer communication link security, transmission line sensing security, supply chain security, product authentication, physical encryption, anti-counterfeiting, manufacturing traceability, and the like.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Comments

Docket Number: 19MST026-UTL

Filing Date: 02/05/2020

Issue Date: 10/18/2022, FY23

References Cited

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Patent Application Number

16/784,130

Patent Number

US 11,474,141 B1

Document Type

Patent

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026 University of Rhode Island Boeard of Trustees; The Curators of the University of Missouri, All rights reserved

Additional Rights Information

Assignees: University of Rhode Island Boardof Trustees, Kingston, RI(US); The Curators of the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.(US)

Publication Date

18 October, 2022

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