Method of securing programmable logic configuration data

• US 20070074045A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Van Essen, Christopher Petersen, Herman Schmit, Jeffrey Kidd
• Original Assignee: Brian Van Essen, Christopher Petersen, Herman Schmit, Jeffrey Kidd
• Inventors: Kidd, Jeffrey, Petersen, Christopher, Schmit, Herman, Van Essen, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/189
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/125 Parallelization or pipelining, e.g. for accelerating processing of cryptographic operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/062 applying encryption of the keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution using key encryption key H04L9/0822
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0897 involving additional devices, e.g. trusted platform module [TPM], smartcard or USB
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secure method of distributing configuration data for a programmable logic device (PLD). The configuration data is encrypted to generate encrypted configuration data. A decryption key is encrypted using a silicon key. The encrypted configuration data and the encrypted decryption key are transferred to a PLD. Within the PLD, the encrypted decryption key is decrypted using the silicon key. Then, also within the PLD, the encrypted configuration data is decrypted using the decryption key to recover the configuration data. The PLD is then configured using the configuration data. The silicon key may be communicated to the PLD by tying predetermined input pins to an active high voltage level or signal ground, to form a binary code.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a circuit board;

an integrated circuit package connected to said circuit board, said package having a plurality of input pins; and

a programmable logic device integrated circuit packaged in said integrated circuit package, said integrated circuit having a plurality of input conductors and operative to perform cryptographic calculations employing a cryptographic key,

whereby said cryptographic key is provided to said programmable logic device integrated circuit via a binary code applied to a predetermined plurality of said input conductors, said binary code being inaccessible when said system is deployed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a predetermined plurality of said programmable logic device integrated circuit input conductors is connected to an active high voltage level or signal ground to form said binary code.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said predetermined plurality of conductors is not connected to said integrated circuit package input pins.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein

a predetermined plurality of said programmable logic device integrated circuit input conductors is connected to a predetermined plurality of said integrated circuit package input pins;

said predetermined plurality of said integrated circuit package input pins is connected via said circuit board to an active high voltage level or signal ground to form said binary code; and

at least said predetermined plurality of said integrated circuit package input pins is inaccessible when said system is deployed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said integrated circuit package comprises a ball grid array.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the circuit board traces connected to said predetermined plurality of integrated circuit package input pins are connected to said active high voltage level or said signal ground by internal layers of said circuit board.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a power supply connected to said circuit board, and wherein said circuit board traces connect said predetermined plurality of integrated circuit package input pins to an active high voltage level or signal ground output of said power supply.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising a connector connected to said circuit board and having a plurality of contacts, and wherein said circuit board traces connect said predetermined plurality of integrated circuit package input pins to said plurality of connector contacts.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a data source connected to said connector contacts and operative to provide said binary code.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said data source comprises a wireless receiver.