Electronic Component Firmware Encryption and Decryption System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial integrated circuit chips without protection functions have poor security, making it easy for firmware or software to be stolen, while those with protection functions are costly and hard to promote.
Innovation Solution
A protection system comprising a first and second module, where the firmware or information is encrypted with an information key and a transfer key, allowing decryption when the electronic component is activated, ensuring secure storage and use without revealing the original content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chips with protection function are used, then security is improved, but cost increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into two separate modules: a first module that stores encrypted firmware and a second module that performs decryption. This segmentation allows the protection function to be added as a separate component rather than integrating it into all chips, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The second module acts as an intermediary between the encrypted firmware in the first module and the system that needs to execute it. This intermediary performs the decryption function, separating the security-critical decryption operation from the bulk storage and execution components, enabling cost-effective deployment of protection.
2Reliability
If firmware is encrypted during manufacturing, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decryption functionality is extracted from the main electronic component and placed in a separate second module. This extraction reduces the complexity of the first module (which only needs to store encrypted data) while concentrating the computational complexity in a dedicated decryption module that can be optimized independently.
3Reliability
If dual encryption with transfer key is implemented, then security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The firmware is encrypted with both the information key and transfer key during the manufacturing process, before the product is deployed. This preliminary encryption action ensures that the firmware remains protected throughout the supply chain, and the decryption keys are only made available when needed for legitimate execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A protection system and a protection method for software and firmware or information capable of encrypting and adding software and firmware or information to an electronic component, so that the software and firmware or the information is protected during the process of adding to the electronic component at a manufacturing end. Even if the encrypted software and firmware or information is obtained, the original content thereof cannot be acquired. When the electronic component is activated and used, the software and firmware or the information stored therein is then decrypted. In this way, the software and firmware or the information in the electronic component can be protected from being stolen, and the cost of the electronic component can be reduced and is easy to promote.