Watermarking DSP algorithms for system on chip implementation

This paper presents new techniques to protect the intellectual property of DSP algorithms. It is shown that it is possible to encode codewords into fundamental algorithms such as digital filters and the DFT in such a way that proof of authorship may be determined. Silicon technology has now advanced to the point that there is a serious mismatch in the time taken to design such systems and the time to market for any new product or product derivative. The answer may well be that designers and differing companies will have to share sub systems (virtual cores) between themselves to reduce design time to acceptable levels. To this end all the major players formed the Virtual Socket Interface Alliance in March 1997. The protection of IP becomes a serious issue if such intercompany sub system design exchange becomes more commonplace. The protection of IP via watermarking techniques will have to be applied at all levels of design, but if such techniques are applied at basic algorithm level, then they will become very difficult to detect at lower levels of system design.