Encrypted Bit Stream Programming for Semiconductor Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The revision of internal circuits in semiconductor devices to accommodate changes in specifications is costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An electronic system comprising a control system that transmits an encrypted bit stream and an electronic device that extracts a security key by decrypting the bit stream, compares it with a check security key, and uses the comparison to extract programming data for a programming operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If internal circuits are revised to accommodate specification changes, then device functionality is improved, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device configuration into two parts: fixed internal circuits and variable programming data. The internal circuits are designed with generic functionality that can accommodate multiple specifications, while specific configuration details are stored as programmable data in memory, allowing rapid adaptation without physical circuit revision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-designing internal circuits with inherent flexibility and pre-programming capability. The device is manufactured with the ability to be configured later through programming operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming circuit revisions when specifications change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If internal circuits are revised to accommodate specification changes, then device functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by storing configuration data in memory rather than hardwiring it into circuits. This allows the same physical device to be copied or replicated with different configurations simply by changing the stored data, significantly reducing manufacturing costs for customized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If encryption is applied to protect programming data, then security is improved, but data extraction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddata extraction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decryption key is pre-loaded into the device during manufacturing and stored in a secure, protected memory location. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time key exchange or generation mechanisms, maintaining security while simplifying the data extraction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary decryption module that acts as a mediator between the encrypted programming data and the processing unit. This dedicated intermediary component handles the decryption operation securely, isolating the complexity from the rest of the system and providing a clean interface for data extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12225109B2Electronic devices and electronic systems for transmitting bit stream including programming data

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

An electronic system includes a control system configured to transmit an encrypted bit stream, an electronic device configured to extract a security key by decrypting the encrypted bit stream and to compare the security key with a check security key to extract programming data for a programming operation by decrypting the encrypted bit stream when the security key and the check security key are the same as each other.