Secure module with microprocessor and co-processor

• US 5,832,207 A
• Filed: 07/19/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grider, Stephen N., Bartling, James E., Little, Wendell, Curiger, Andreas, Harrington, Bradley M., Bunsey, David A., Liu, Shyun
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elmore, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US08/683,937
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 395/186, 326/8, 320/40, 364/245.2, 364/246.9, 365/226, 380/4, 380/42
• US Class Current: 726/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1004 to protect a block of data words, e.g. CRC or checksum G06F11/1076 takes precedence; security arrangements for protecting computers or computer systems against unauthorized activity G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/602 Providing cryptographic facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/72 in cryptographic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/81 by operating on the power supply, e.g. enabling or disabling power-on, sleep or resume operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/87 by means of encapsulation, e.g. for integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/588 Random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/30134 Register stacks; shift registers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40975 using encryption therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/082 Features insuring the integrity of the data on or in the card
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/06 Arrangements for interconnecting storage elements electrically, e.g. by wiring
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/143 Detection of memory cassette insertion or removal; Continuity checks of supply or ground lines; Detection of supply variations, interruptions or levels G11C5/148 takes precedence; Switching between alternative supplies G11C5/141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/24 Memory cell safety or protection circuits, e.g. arrangements for preventing inadvertent reading or writing; Status cells; Test cells
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/20 Address safety or protection circuits, i.e. arrangements for preventing unauthorized or accidental access
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 : the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/57 : Protection from inspection, reverse engineering or tampering
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/16152 : Cap comprising a cavity for hosting the device, e.g. U-shaped cap
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 : Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/026 : Arrangements for coupling transmitters, receivers or transceivers to transmission lines; Line drivers duplexing arrangements H04L5/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 257/922 : with means to prevent inspection of or tampering with an integrated circuit, e.g. "smart card", anti-tamper

Abstract

An electronic module having at least a microprocessor and co-processor on a single integrated circuit. The electronic module can be contained in a small housing. The electronic module provides secure bidirectional data communication via a data bus. The electronic module may include integrated circuit comprising a microprocessor, and a co-processor adapted to handle 1,024-bit modulo mathematics primarily aimed at RSA calculations. The electronic module is preferably contained in a small token sized metallic container and will preferably communicate via a single wire data bus which uses a one-wire protocol.

Claims

1. A electronic module comprising:

a one wire interface for bidirectionally interfacing said electronic module to another electronic device via a single wire;

a one wire UART connected to said one-wire interface;

a microprocessor core circuitry connected to said one wire UART; and

a memory circuit connected to said one wire UART and to said microprocessor core circuitry.

2. The electronic module of claim 1, wherein said electronic module is a single chip integrated circuit having dimensions of less than 400 mils by 220 mils.

3. The electronic module of claim 1, wherein said module operates via parasitic power from data on said single wire.

4. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising identification circuitry associated with said one wire UART.

5. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising a coprocessor adapted to handle encryption related mathematics.

6. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising a real time clock adapted to operate continuously from the time said electronic module is assembled until a power supply is not provided to said electronic module.

7. The electronic module of claim 1, wherein said electronic module can be incorporated into an articulatable object.

8. The electronic module of claim 7, wherein said electronic module is used to store information and to encrypt data associated with said another electronic device.

9. An microprocessor based electronic module adapted to communicate with a host circuit, comprising:

a single wire data and power interface;

a one wire UART connected to said single wire data and power interface;

a data bus connected to said one wire UART; and

a microprocessor connected to said data bus.

10. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, further comprising a coprocessor connected to said data bus.

11. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, further comprising a real time clock connected to said data bus.

12. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, wherein said one wire UART comprises an identification circuit.

13. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, wherein said electronic module is approximately the size of a stack of 4 dimes.

14. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, wherein said electronic module is adapted to be incorporated into a portable, articulatable item.

15. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, being adapted to process encrypted information.

16. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, being adapted to facilitate secure data transfers.

17. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, further comprising memory circuitry connected to said data bus.

18. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, wherein power is parasitically obtained for said electronic module via said single wire data and power interface.

19. The microprocessor based electronic module of claim 9, adapted to be incorporated into a housing, said housing having a cavity for containing said electronic module and a conductive contact electrically connected to said single wire data and power interface.

20. A microprocessor based data carrier, comprising:

means for bidirectionally communicating over a single wire;

means for encrypting data communicating over said single wire; and

means for parasitically powering said data carrier, said data carrier being approximately the size of or smaller than a stack of 4 dimes.