Product category:
Programmable Logic Devices
News Release from: QuickLogic | Subject: User customisable keys for programma ble logic
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 February 2007
Customisable keys for programmable logic
devices
QuickLogic has built into its low-power programmable logic devices the ability to allow unique keys and serial identification numbers to be programmed into them.
QuickLogic has built into its low-power programmable logic devices the ability to allow unique keys and serial identification numbers to be programmed into them These user-customisable keys and numbers conform to a customer-supplied list, and can serve as the basis for implementing a variety of content-protection standards and algorithms
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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This new capability provides designers with the opportunity to incorporate secure, unique numeric values as long as 256bit into the programmable fabric.
Companies provide QuickLogic with their list of desired numeric values, and will receive programmed devices in return, each incorporating a unique numeric value from their list.
The value can serve as a serial number for product identification, as a private key for data encryption and content-protection algorithms such as digital rights management (DRM), or any other purpose that requires a unique value in each device.
"As more copyrighted material is finding its way into mobile devices, protection of assets is fast becoming a critical requirement, to preserve both RandD investments and profitable revenue streams of content providers", says Owen Bateman of QuickLogic.
"Most content-protection standards require a unique numeric value stored in non-volatile technology somewhere in the system".
"By programming a unique key or serial number into programmable logic solutions, it's possible for designers to eliminate specialised non-volatile memories, reducing bill-of-materials costs and freeing up precious board space".
Through a proprietary method for implementing this capability, along with QuickLogic's patented ViaLink device programming technology, the possibility of hackers gaining access to the unique keys and numbers is virtually eliminated.
The technology also precludes tampering with the unique, programmed information.
No power source, from a battery or otherwise, is required to sustain the embedded key.
QuickLogic handles all manufacturing and logistical details required to program the user-customisable values into devices.
This capability is available for products based on the company's PolarPro and Eclipse II field-programmable logic technologies, for less than 10 US cents in volume.
These FPGA families consume very little power, and are ideal for use in portable, battery powered embedded systems.
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