Optical-based hardware encryption device for software protection

• Main Authors: Ehsan, Abang Annuar, Mohd Arip, Mohd Ridzuan, Sohaimi, Muhammad Quyyum, Ghazi, Ibrahim, Abdul Aziz, Faieza
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: Science and Knowledge Research Society 2015
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67006/1/ICCSCM-7.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67006/

An optical-based hardware encryption device for software protection is proposed. Software piracy and illegal usage require that software operation is secured through a form of hardware protection. Electronic-based hardware keys such as dongle keys may be vulnerable to attacks through reverse engineered technology. A simple optical device can be included as part of the hardware key where it can be used as an encryption device. Software user will require specific hardware key with built optical device in order to operate the software. The LED activated optical device can produce encrypted signal via generated optical codes which is solely based on the geometrical feature of the optical device. A suitable form of optical code generating device is presented in the form of 1xN asymmetric waveguide coupler.