Integrated Circuit Secure Lockdown Internal State Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
A secure lockdown mode in integrated circuits causes system resets, resulting in the loss of internal system information, which hinders debugging and analysis as internal states become inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to read and output internal system states from storage devices within the integrated circuit before initiating a secure lockdown mode, by loading these states into temporary storage and encrypting them for secure transmission via a port, allowing for their extraction and analysis before the lockdown is completed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secure lockdown mode is initiated, then security is improved, but internal system information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and exporting internal system states from storage devices before the secure lockdown mode is fully initiated. The system reads out system states from internal storage devices and loads them into temporary storage or outputs them via ports before the lockdown closes access, preserving debugging information while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts internal system information from the integrated circuit's storage devices before lockdown. By reading out system states from internal storage and transferring them to temporary storage or external locations, the patent removes the information from the secured environment while the lockdown is initiated, allowing analysis without compromising security.
2Reliability
If secure lockdown mode is initiated, then security is improved, but debugging capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables debugging by performing preliminary actions to export system states before lockdown. Debugging information is captured in advance by reading from internal storage devices and making it available in temporary storage or external interfaces, allowing post-lockdown analysis without requiring ongoing access during secured mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporary storage and port interfaces as intermediaries between the internal secure storage devices and external debugging tools. These intermediaries allow system states to be transferred out of the secure environment for analysis while maintaining the security boundary, enabling debugging capability without compromising security integrity.
3Reliability
If port is closed responsive to secure lockdown mode, then security is improved, but access to internal states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing all necessary data exports through ports before they are closed during lockdown initiation. System states are read from internal storage and transferred to temporary storage or external locations while ports remain open, ensuring access is maintained long enough to capture all debugging information before security restrictions are enforced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts all required system state information through open ports before the ports are closed by the lockdown process. By reading out and transferring data while access is still available, the patent removes the need for ongoing port access after lockdown, maintaining security while preserving debugging capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system generally relating to integrated circuits are disclosed. In such a method, a secure lockdown mode for the integrated circuit is initiated. System states of a system internal to the integrated circuit are obtained after initiation of the secure lockdown mode. This obtaining of the system states includes: reading out of the system states from storage devices internal to the integrated circuit; and loading the system states into temporary storage of the integrated circuit. The system states are output via a port of the integrated circuit before closing the port responsive to the secure lockdown mode.