Bit Transposition Circuit for Secure Memory Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data security schemes are vulnerable to attacks through data and address buses during memory access operations, as sensitive information such as cryptographic keys is stored externally, providing an access point for unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A secure data transfer circuit that transposes bits in control values using a programmable switching circuit, generating a random internal mapping to scramble data and address bits during memory access operations, ensuring secure data transfer between a processor and memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored externally in memory during memory access operations, then data storage capacity is improved, but data security deteriorates due to vulnerability through data and address buses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secure data transfer circuit as an intermediary component between the processor and external memory. This circuit includes a programmable switching circuit that randomly interconnects bus lines to transpose bits in control values during memory access operations. The transposition creates an obscured representation of actual data and addresses on the buses, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining normal memory storage and access functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bits in control values are transposed using a programmable switching circuit, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of bit arrangement in control values by using a programmable switching circuit to randomly interconnect bus lines. This transposition alters the positional parameters of bits without changing their fundamental nature or requiring complex cryptographic processing. The programmable switch allows flexible configuration of transposition patterns while maintaining hardware efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a programmable switching circuit is used to randomly interconnect bus lines, then entropy is increased for security, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secure data transfer circuit operates autonomously to perform bit transposition during memory access operations. The programmable switching circuit automatically randomizes the interconnection of bus lines based on stored transposition patterns, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex control logic. The system self-manages the security function while maintaining normal processor operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for transferring data between a processing circuit and a memory. In some embodiments, a data storage device has a main non-volatile memory (NVM) configured to store user data from a host device. A controller circuit is configured to direct transfers of the user data between the NVM and the host device. The controller circuit has a programmable processor and a secure data transfer circuit. The secure data transfer circuit executes memory access operations to transfer user data and control values between the processor and a local memory. A memory access operation includes receiving bits of a multi-bit control value on a multi-line bus from the processor, and activating a programmable switching circuit to randomly interconnect different ones of the multi-line bus to transpose the bits in the control value.