EEPROM Authentication for Firmware-Free Automation Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in authenticating components that lack firmware, microprocessors, or microcontrollers, as existing authentication methods are not applicable to these components, posing risks from counterfeit, stolen, or modified parts.
Innovation Solution
Equipping industrial automation components with electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) that store identifying information, which can be read by the system to authenticate components, even in the absence of processors or microcontrollers, using backplane switches and I/O components to verify the authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication certificates are used with firmware, microcontrollers, and microprocessors, then authentication capability is improved, but components without these elements cannot be authenticated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication capability from the firmware/microcontroller context and implements it directly in hardware using EEPROM memory. The authentication certificate is stored in the EEPROM chip itself, allowing authentication to occur without requiring a microcontroller or firmware to mediate the process. This enables components without processors to be authenticated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that bridges components without microcontrollers and the authentication system. The EEPROM stores authentication certificates and communicates with the controller through standard memory interfaces, serving as an intermediary that enables authentication for simple components while maintaining compatibility with existing system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If components are procured from unauthorized sources to reduce costs, then cost is reduced, but system security and component authenticity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication by storing authentication certificates in the EEPROM during manufacturing. This preliminary action enables the component to prove its authenticity before being installed in the system, allowing the controller to verify legitimacy and reject counterfeit components before they can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the controller reads authentication certificates from EEPROM and verifies component legitimacy. This feedback loop provides continuous verification of component authenticity, enabling the system to detect and reject unauthorized components while maintaining operation with legitimate ones.
Data Source
AI summary
A first component of an industrial automation system includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storing data identifying the first component. The data identifying the first component is read from the EEPROM by a second component to which the first component is communicatively coupled to authenticate the first component. The first component lacks a processor and a microcontroller, and does not run firmware.