Embedded Secure Element Selector for SIM Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex electronic systems face challenges in managing and adapting voltage levels efficiently, leading to the need for improved voltage level management and compact system design.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an embedded secure element with a level converter circuit and selector to adjust voltage levels for SIM cards, allowing bidirectional conversion between different voltage levels within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage level adaptation circuits are used to manage different voltage levels in complex electronic systems, then the correct operation of circuits and modules is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage level conversion function with the secure element by integrating a level converter circuit directly into the secure element. This integration allows the secure element to handle both security functions and voltage adaptation, reducing the need for separate external voltage conversion components and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable operation across different voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a security module and as a voltage level adaptation interface. By making the secure element universal, it can accommodate different voltage levels (e.g., 3.3V and 1.8V) without requiring dedicated separate circuits for each function, thus improving reliability while avoiding additional complexity from multiple specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate voltage level conversion components are used for each SIM card interface, then voltage compatibility is ensured, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple voltage level conversion functions into a single integrated level converter circuit within the secure element. Instead of having separate conversion components for each SIM card interface, the integrated design allows one secure element to serve multiple purposes, thereby maintaining voltage compatibility across different interfaces while significantly reducing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The level converter circuit is nested within the secure element structure, allowing the voltage conversion functionality to be embedded inside the existing secure element footprint. This nesting approach enables the secure element to contain both security processing and voltage adaptation functions, avoiding the need for additional external components and thus reducing device size while ensuring voltage compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An embedded secure element (eSE) includes an input configured to receive a first data signal and an output configured to deliver a second signal. The eSE further includes a circuit configured to implement an embedded SIM card. The output is intended to be coupled to an external SIM card. A selector within the eSE receives the first signal from the input is controlled in a first selection to deliver the first signal to the embedded SIM card. The selector is further controlled in a second selection to deliver the first signal to a voltage level converter which level shifts the first signal to generate the second signal at the output.