Memory Data Masking Flags for Secure Power-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Replacing volatile memory devices with non-volatile memory devices increases security risks due to the potential accessibility of previously stored data at power-up, and existing solutions to wipe memory arrays at power-up or power-down can exceed timing and power consumption constraints.
Innovation Solution
Implementing data masking flags for memory arrays that protect data by masking previously stored data until an initial write or activate command is performed, allowing the data to be overwritten and the flag reset, thus ensuring data security without exceeding power or time constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If memory arrays are wiped at power-up or power-down, then data security is improved, but power consumption and timing constraints are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting data masking flags to a first state during the power-up sequence, before any read commands are executed. This preliminary flag configuration prevents access to previously stored data without requiring actual data wiping operations, thereby achieving security goals while avoiding the excessive power consumption and timing delays associated with complete memory array wiping.
2Reliability
If memory arrays are wiped at power-up or power-down, then data security is improved, but operation timing is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The data masking flags are configured in advance during the power-up sequence before the memory array becomes accessible for read operations. This preliminary configuration ensures that even if read commands are issued immediately after power-up, the previously stored data remains masked and inaccessible, eliminating the need for time-consuming data wiping operations while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces data masking flags as an intermediary mechanism between the stored data and read commands. These flags act as a control layer that prevents direct access to previously stored data without requiring physical data modification or wiping, thereby achieving security objectives while maintaining fast power-up times and efficient operation.
3Reliability
If data masking flags are implemented, then data security is maintained without excessive power consumption, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory control structure by introducing separate data masking flags for different pages or banks of the memory array. This segmentation allows independent control of data masking for different memory regions, providing fine-grained security control while keeping the overall system manageable and avoiding excessive complexity through modular organization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for data masking for memory are described. A memory device may set multiple data masking flags for associated memory array(s) at power-up. Each data masking flag may be associated with a respective page of memory cells and may indicate whether the data stored in the respective page is masked data, or whether the data is new, unmasked data. Data existing at a previous power-down may be masked until an initial write or activate command has been performed on the page after power-up, where the initial write or activate command may result in writing masked data, write data, or a combination thereof to the page. After previously stored data is overwritten to a page, the flag associated with the page may be reset, which may indicate that data stored at the page is available to be read.