Microcircuit Board Dual Microcontroller Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microcircuit cards equipped with biometric sensors are complex and expensive to design and manufacture, primarily due to the need for secure data processing and storage, which often requires advanced microcontrollers with high computing power and memory capacity.

Innovation Solution

A microcircuit card design featuring a first microcontroller for managing communications, energy, and sensor data, and a second secure microcontroller dedicated to processing and storing secure data, with the second microcontroller having lower computing power and memory, ensuring secure data handling without direct external communication, thereby reducing complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single advanced microcontroller is used to handle both secure data processing and general data processing, then secure data protection can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure data protectionVSAvoidmicrocontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the microcontroller into two separate components: a first microcontroller dedicated to secure data processing and storage, and a second microcontroller for general data processing and communication. This segmentation allows each microcontroller to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the complexity of individual components while maintaining overall system security. The first microcontroller handles only secure operations with restricted access, while the second microcontroller manages communication and non-sensitive tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the secure data processing functions into a dedicated first microcontroller that is separated from the general-purpose second microcontroller. This extraction ensures that secure operations are isolated and protected, while the second microcontroller can operate with lower security constraints, reducing its complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single microcontroller with high computing power and memory capacity is used, then both secure and general data processing can be performed, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing capabilities into two separate microcontrollers with different specifications. The first microcontroller is designed with higher security features and appropriate memory for secure data, while the second microcontroller has lower specifications suitable for general communication tasks. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured at an optimized cost point rather than requiring one expensive high-capacity microcontroller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by giving each microcontroller different capabilities matched to its specific function. The first microcontroller has enhanced security features and memory for secure data, while the second microcontroller has simpler architecture optimized for communication protocols. This localized optimization reduces overall system cost while maintaining necessary functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If the second microcontroller directly communicates with external devices, then communication efficiency improves, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the first microcontroller as an intermediary between the second microcontroller and external devices. All communication between the second microcontroller and the outside world must pass through the first microcontroller, which acts as a security gateway. This intermediary structure maintains communication efficiency while ensuring that secure data is protected, as the first microcontroller can filter and secure all data exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If all communication passes through the first microcontroller, then security is maintained, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure data protectionVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first microcontroller serves as an intermediary that manages secure communication pathways. While all external communication must pass through it for security reasons, the system is designed to minimize overhead by establishing efficient communication protocols and pathways. The intermediary role of the first microcontroller is optimized to reduce processing delays while maintaining security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3885994B1Microcircuit board
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
  • EP3885994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

This description relates to a microcircuit board comprising: a first microcontroller (114); a second microcontroller (118); at least one module (110, 112) for communication with the outside of the board; and a biometric sensor (122), in which: all communication with the outside of the board (100) passes through the first microcontroller (114); and all communication between the sensor (122) and the second microcontroller (118) passes through the first microcontroller (114).