Enhancing Security of Semiconductor Supply Chain Using Blockchain and Smart Contracts

Abstract

The increasing complexity and globalization of the semiconductor supply chain, particularly in Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), has introduced significant vulnerabilities including counterfeiting, unauthorized modifications, and malicious hardware insertions. To address these challenges, this project proposes a novel security framework that integrates Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), blockchain technology, and Arbiter Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) to enhance the authenticity, traceability, and resilience of the FPGA supply chain. The framework employs PUFs to generate unique hardware identities for FPGA components, which are authenticated through smart contracts and immutably recorded on a permissioned blockchain. By adopting ZTA principles, the system ensures continuous verification of all entities and components across the supply chain. The proposed architecture supports real-time monitoring, automated anomaly detection, and role-based access control, creating a tamper-proof and transparent ledger of FPGA transactions. This approach significantly strengthens supply chain integrity, mitigates risks of counterfeit insertion, and establishes a secure foundation for deploying FPGAs in mission-critical applications such as defense, telecommunications, and AI systems.