Electronic Fuse Controller Retention Memory Security Bits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless devices face power consumption and time inefficiencies due to the need to reexecute the autoload operation after power-down or sleep mode, and frequent security information requests from ROM, which can lead to security violations and increased processing time.
Innovation Solution
An electronic fuse system with a fuse ROM and an efuse controller that maintains security bits in a security register across power cycles, allowing the efuse controller to provide requested data only if security bits are obtained, thereby reducing the need for repeated security reads and maintaining system security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the controller is powered down or enters sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the autoload information is lost and must be reexecuted upon powering up
Solution Approach 1:
The autoload information is loaded into a retention memory during the initial power-up before the controller enters sleep mode. This preliminary action ensures that when the controller is powered down, the autoload information is preserved in the retention memory rather than being lost, eliminating the need for reexecution upon subsequent power-ups.
2Loss of time
If the controller remains active to avoid autoload reexecution, then time is saved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autoload information is pre-loaded into a retention memory during the initial power-up. This allows the controller to enter low-power sleep mode without losing the autoload information, as it is preserved in the retention memory. Upon subsequent power-ups, the controller can quickly restore the autoload information from the retention memory without needing to reexecute the entire autoload sequence, thus saving both time and power.
3Reliability
If security information is read from ROM each time a chip component requests information, then security is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Security information is read from the ROM and loaded into a retention memory during the initial autoload operation. This preliminary action allows subsequent requests for security information to be served from the retention memory without repeated reads from the ROM, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining security through the use of indication bits to track whether security bits have been obtained.
Solution Approach 2:
The security information is copied from the ROM to a retention memory during the autoload operation. This copy allows rapid access to security information for subsequent requests without requiring repeated reads from the ROM, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining security through the copying mechanism.
4Loss of time
If security information is not read before providing data to requesting components, then processing time is reduced, but security violations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Security information is copied from the ROM to a retention memory during the autoload operation. The indication bit mechanism tracks whether security bits have been obtained, allowing the controller to quickly determine whether security verification is needed before providing data to requesting components. This copying mechanism reduces processing time while maintaining security through the use of indication bits.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic fuse system and method are disclosed employing a fuse ROM having one or more blocks of memory. Each block of memory comprises a plurality of words with at least one word of the plurality of words containing security bits associated with a respective block. An electronic fuse controller is in communication with the fuse ROM and one or more external devices that are configured to request one or more words that reside in the fuse ROM from the electronic fuse controller. At least one security register includes indication bits that provide an indication whether security bits have been obtained for a respective block of memory of the fuse ROM after a power down and power up cycle. The electronic fuse controller provides the requested word if an indication bit associated with the block of memory is set.