Microcontroller Boot Program Selection for Flexible Security Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontroller architectures lack the ability to choose between multiple security levels, necessitating a single high-security mode, which hinders the development of applications requiring lower security levels.
Innovation Solution
A method for selecting a boot program based on reading multiple registers and a boot pin state during microprocessor reset, allowing selection from system or user memory, enabling a single security mode configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microcontroller architecture implements only a single high-security mode, then security reliability is improved, but adaptability to different application requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic security mode selection by reading register values and boot pin states during reset to determine which boot program to execute. This allows the system to transition between different security modes (single security mode vs. multiple security levels) based on configuration requirements, making the architecture adaptable while maintaining security when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security mode parameter by selecting different boot programs with different security configurations. The first boot program enables single security mode, while the second boot program enables multiple security levels. This parameter change is achieved through boot program selection based on register values and boot pin states, allowing the system to adapt security settings without hardware changes
2Adaptability or versatility
If a microcontroller architecture provides multiple security levels, then adaptability to different application requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the boot programs into different types (first boot program for single security mode, second boot program for multiple security levels) stored in different memory regions. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate security level configuration without implementing all possible security levels simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses boot programs as intermediary elements that mediate between the hardware architecture and the security mode requirements. The boot programs interpret register values and boot pin states to determine the appropriate security configuration, acting as a software layer that simplifies the interaction between hardware and application requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the architecture reads multiple registers and boot pin states during reset, then selection flexibility is improved, but initialization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary reading of register values and boot pin states during the reset initialization phase. This preliminary action allows the boot program selection to be made quickly without requiring additional reading operations later in the initialization process. By completing the selection logic during reset, the system minimizes overall initialization time while maintaining full selection flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A method of selection of a boot program for a microprocessor of a microcontroller is provided. The method comprising selecting a boot program, from among a plurality of boot programs contained in one or a plurality of memories of the microcontroller, wherein a plurality of registers of the microcontroller are read first during a resetting of the microprocessor and this reading conditions, together with a state of at least one signal present on a boot pin of the microcontroller, the selection of the boot program.