An international team of researchers has developed a breakthrough method to observe what’s happening inside electronic chips as they operate.
This makes it possible to monitor electronic chips without touching them, disassembling them, or switching them off.
This new technology uses terahertz waves, a safe, non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, to detect tiny electrical charge movements within fully packaged semiconductor devices.
This will enable scientists and engineers to monitor functioning electronic components in the real world for the first time.
Electronic chips were not practical in previous surveillance
Professor Wisawat Wisayachumnankul, group leader at the University of Adelaide’s Terahertz Engineering Laboratory (TEL), explained that semiconductors underpin almost all modern technology, from smartphones and medical devices to cars, power grids and defense systems.
“But once an electronic chip is enclosed in a protective package, it becomes very difficult to know what’s going on inside,” he says.
“Most existing testing methods require physical electrical probes, exposed chips, or powering down the device, making them impractical in many scenarios.”
How waves overcome these problems
This study demonstrates that terahertz waves can non-invasively detect changes in current in common electronic components such as diodes and transistors.
Although this method is sensitive enough to detect changes in regions smaller than the terahertz wavelength itself, it was previously considered impractical due to fundamental noise limitations.
Professor Wisayatyumnankul explained, “This research is a first step towards a long-standing problem in electronic chips. It is now possible to externally observe the electrical activity inside a working semiconductor device without damaging it or disrupting its operation.”
Ultra-sensitive system detects small changes
To achieve this, the researchers developed an ultra-sensitive detection system using a special homodyne quadrature receiver that can detect very small changes in the terahertz signal.
“This approach allows the system to cancel out background noise and isolate weak signals generated by electrical activity within the device,” commented Withayachumnankul.
The result is a real-time view of the electronics in action, even when the active region is buried deep within a hermetic package. ”
The researchers say the signals they observed were caused by real electrical activity, rather than heat or electronic interference.
The technology was shown to work with a variety of commonly used semiconductor components, demonstrating its robustness and broad relevance.
Expanding to safety-critical electronic chips
Professor Wittayachumnankul explains that the implications for society and industry are significant: “Because terahertz radiation is non-ionizing and safe, this technology also provides a safer alternative to testing methods that rely on X-rays or invasive exploration.”
“This is particularly attractive for safety-critical applications, such as high-power electronics where devices cannot be easily taken offline.”
Applications in security and defense
The research could also benefit the security and defense sector, said lead researcher Dr Chichanok Chuensatiansap, professor of cybersecurity at the Hasso Plattner Institute and the University of Potsdam.
“Being able to assess electronic activity remotely and non-invasively could help verify the integrity of critical hardware, detect malfunctioning or compromised components, and monitor systems where physical access is restricted or undesirable.
“This research opens the door to smarter self-diagnostic electronics, new ways to monitor complex integrated circuits, and faster development of next-generation electronic chips.”
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