Inspector Data Sheet
Glitch Amplifier
Add-on to the VC Glitcher
to amplify the power glitches
for an embedded processor.
Riscure Glitch Amplifier 1/2
Introduction
Fault injection on most embedded devices requires
significantly more power than smart cards. The Glitch
Amplifier was designed to meet this requirement, making
your fault injection tests possible for a wider range of
targets. The Glitch Amplifier is easily connected to the
VC Glitcher. Parameterization and configuration of the
glitching scenarios are done by configuring the VC
Glitcher from the Inspector FI software. Please refer to
our VC Glitcher data sheet for more information on the
specifications.
Technical description
The Glitch Amplifier has 50 Ohms input for connection to the VC
Glitcher. The Glitch Amplifier has virtually 0-ohms output impedance,
designed to drive the input pin of an embedded processor. The Glitch
Amplifier can operate as a single power supply between 0 and 4V. This
voltage is set in Inspector and controlled via the VC Glitcher.
Key features
• Allows glitching embedded devices
such as FPGA’s and SOC’s
• Amplifies glitches produced by
the VC Glitcher up to 1.5 A
peak-to-peak
• Easy to connect and control
Technical specifications
• Power: 15V DC, 10 W max
• Green LED indicates power ON
• -2 to 2V input connector: SMB,
50 Ohms impedance, DC-coupling
• -4 to 4V output connector: 0 Ohms
impedance, DC coupling
• Maximum output current: 1.0 Amps
continuously, 1.5 Amps peak current
• Amplifier gain: 2x
• Frequency range: 0 – 1.5 GHz.
The Glitch Amplifier has an amplification factor of a factor 2. When
setting a continuous voltage level of e.g. 2 Volts and a glitch peak
voltage of e.g. 3 Volts, the voltage levels between VC Glitcher and Glitch
Amplifier are respectively 1 and 1.5 V due to the 50 Ohms output and
50 Ohms input impedance. The voltage levels between Glitch Amplifier
and embedded processor are respectively 2 and 3 Volts.
Using the Glitch Amplifier
The wiring between the Glitch Amplifier and the embedded processor
should be as short as possible and the wires should be preferable twisted
to reduce wire inductance. The buffer capacitance over the power input
pin of the embedded processor should be as low as possible. These two
quantities usually determine the rise and fall times of the power glitch.
The speed of the VC Glitcher and the bandwidth of the Glitch Amplifier
are usually sufficient.
Riscure BV
Frontier Building
Delftechpark 49
2628 XJ Delft
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)15 251 4090
Fax: +31 (0)15 251 4099
E-mail: inforequest@riscure.com
www.riscure.com
GA 11.09.2011
One of the output connectors of the VC Glitcher is the ‘analog glitch’
output. Inspector controls its constant output voltage and the additional
glitch voltage, duration, timing and pattern. The output impedance is
50 Ohm, which makes it suitable for transport of the glitch pulse over
a long 50 Ohm coaxial cable. The output impedance does not allow
direct connection to power input pin of an embedded processor. The
Glitch Amplifier interfaces between the VC Glitcher and the Target of
Evaluation e.g. an embedded processor.
Riscure provides these specifications for information only.
No rights can be obtained from these specifications.
Riscure Glitch Amplifier 2/2