PCN Completes NIST Phase 1

As we mark the successful completion of Phase 1 of our Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Provenance Chain™ Network (PCN) team is proud to share the milestones and insights that are shaping a more secure and interoperable U.S. semiconductor supply chain. Conducted under the CHIPS Metrology Program, this phase focused on developing a trusted data-sharing framework to meet the growing demands of a rapidly evolving industry.

Listening First: Over 65 Stakeholder Interviews

We began by immersing ourselves in the real-world challenges of the microelectronics industry, conducting more than 65 interviews with key stakeholders—including government agencies, academic researchers, chip designers, foundries, equipment manufacturers, materials suppliers, and more. These conversations, supplemented by facility tours and participation in key industry conferences, provided a comprehensive view of the sector’s most pressing vulnerabilities:

• Erosion of data and intellectual property (IP)

• Fragmented and outdated data-sharing practices

• Limited transparency beyond Tier 1 suppliers

• Heightened risk of counterfeit parts and supply chain disruption

Industry Impact: From Traceability to Counterfeit Mitigation 

Our findings confirmed a persistent challenge in the semiconductor industry: supply chain visibility often stops at Tier 1 suppliers, with minimal transparency beyond Tier 2. The PCN Commercial Trust™ Protocol (CTP) addresses this gap by enabling N-tier traceability through DLT-backed infrastructure and AI-driven data standardization. This enhanced visibility not only streamlines compliance and operational efficiency—it also strengthens counterfeit detection and lifecycle analysis, both of which are critical to advancing national security and sustainability goals.

Defining the Requirements for Trust

1. Defining Industry Requirements 

• We identified industry requirements and a standards-based framework designed to enable secure, auditable data sharing across the semiconductor supply chain enabled by the Commercial Trust™ Protocol (CTP) to speed the development and exchange of data.

• A core focus was identifying opportunities to evolve the Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) format beyond fragmented PDF documentation and toward a secure, machine-readable standard.

  
  

2. Advancing Data Standardization and Interoperability

PCN played a leading role in the Electronic Data Sheet Working Group (EDS-WG), collaborating with key partners like Cadence, Intel, Apple, Kipo AI, and NVIDIA. Together, we made strides toward:

• Standardizing component data formats

• Defining secure data exchange protocols

• Engaging with JEDEC JEP30 for formal international standardization

  
  

This collective progress is accelerating the industry’s shift toward true digital traceability and interoperability.

3. Prioritizing Security and IP Protection

Trust begins with security. The PCN architecture is grounded in data property ownership rights.  Who creates the data, controls their data.  This is possible with Zero Trust principles, decentralized data custody, and selective disclosure™, ensuring data owners retain control A robust set of  tools directly addresses industry concerns  around IP leakage, data provenance, and counterfeit mitigation.

4. Mapping the Path to Commercial Adoption

• PCN’s approach is rooted in agile, iterative development. As a deliverable for our Phase 1 SBIR, we defined a clear MVP (Minimum Viable Product) shaped by ongoing feedback from anchor customers and standards bodies.

• Our commercial plan emphasizes ease of integration, clear ROI, and regulatory compliance-key drivers for scaling adoption across the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.

Collaboration and Coalition Building

The success of Phase 1 would not have been possible without the active participation of our partners and stakeholders. From the EDS-WG to direct engagement with industry leaders including Cadence, Kipo AI, Intel, NVIDIA, and standards bodies like JEDEC, IPC, and NIST, our coalition-building efforts have been instrumental in aligning the industry around a common vision for secure, interoperable data exchange.

Looking Ahead

We are energized by the momentum and look forward to continuing our work with NIST, industry leaders, and new collaborators to realize the vision of a trusted, resilient, and innovative U.S. semiconductor supply chain.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey so far. Together, we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of secure and reliable microelectronics.

If you are interested in partnering with PCN or learning more about our work, please reach out. The future of trusted semiconductors starts here.