Processing Device IP Disabling via Switch Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing and producing processing devices for multiple consumers is costly due to the need for custom features and IP specific to each customer, making it inefficient to serve a broader customer base without specific designs for each customer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables the irreversible disabling of selected IP features in processing devices using switches, such as non-reversible fuses or activation signals, allowing for flexible configuration and disabling of proprietary algorithms based on customer-specific requirements, thereby enabling broader market coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If processing devices are designed with custom features and IP for specific customers, then customer-specific requirements are met, but production costs increase and the ability to serve a broader customer base is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device is segmented into multiple functional IP blocks (encryption IP, compression IP, audio processing IP, etc.) that can be independently enabled or disabled. Each IP block operates as a separate module with its own enable signal, allowing the device to be configured for different customers by selectively activating only the required features rather than including all possible custom features in every device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic configuration through enable signals that can be set during manufacturing or operation. The first enable signal selectively enables the first IP block while disabling the second IP block, allowing the hardware configuration to adapt to different customer requirements without requiring physical redesign or re manufacturing of the entire device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If processing devices are designed with custom features for each customer, then proprietary algorithms are preserved, but device complexity and design time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal processing device design incorporates multiple proprietary algorithm blocks (first IP block with first proprietary algorithm, second IP block with second proprietary algorithm) that can serve different customers. The device universally supports multiple algorithms through selective enabling, eliminating the need to create separate device designs for each customer while preserving all proprietary algorithms in the hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Proprietary algorithm blocks are extracted as separate, independently controllable IP modules from the main processing device. Each IP block can be individually enabled or disabled through enable signals, allowing the proprietary algorithms to be preserved in hardware while preventing unauthorized use by simply disabling the corresponding IP block for customers who do not require it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IP blocks are included in a processing device, then feature flexibility increases, but the difficulty of controlling and verifying IP disabling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates verification mechanisms that provide feedback on the state of IP block disabling. The verification logic monitors the enable signals and IP block states to confirm that unauthorized access or activation attempts are detected and reported, ensuring that the disabling configuration is properly maintained and can be verified through testing or status checks.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for operating a processing device is disclosed. The method includes configuring at least one switch to interconnect one or more selected IP to the processing device, receiving an activation signal associated with the at least one switch based on the one or more selected IP, in response to the activation signal, causing the at least one switch to disable connection to the one or more selected IP, and verifying access to the one or more selected IP is disabled.