Nonvolatile Memory Data Security via Randomized Address Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonvolatile memory, such as phase-change memory, faces security issues due to its non-volatility feature, where data stored can be insecure when the device is powered off, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a random number generator and exchangers in the nonvolatile memory to randomly generate selection signals that control bank, row, and column address signals, effectively rearranging data storage locations upon power-on, making it difficult to recover original data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If data is stored in nonvolatile memory for security purposes, then data persistence is improved, but data security deteriorates due to unauthorized access when powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging the data storage layout using bank address signals before data is written to the nonvolatile memory. When power is restored, the stored bank address signals automatically reconstruct the original data positions, preventing unauthorized access to plaintext data while maintaining data persistence. This pre-arranged addressing scheme ensures data security without sacrificing the nonvolatile storage capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If data is encrypted and stored in nonvolatile memory, then data security is improved, but data access efficiency deteriorates due to decryption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bank address signals as an intermediary mechanism between the stored data and the data access process. These signals act as a mediator that automatically reconstructs the original data positions when power is restored, eliminating the need for traditional decryption operations. This intermediary approach maintains data security while significantly improving access efficiency by avoiding computationally intensive decryption processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If randomization is applied to data storage locations, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing bank address signals that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable data randomization for security, maintain data position information for reconstruction, and interface with existing memory address decoding circuits. This multi-functional design achieves data security through randomization without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same signals perform multiple critical roles in the memory system.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a nonvolatile memory and an electronic device, where each time the nonvolatile memory is powered on, an exchanger is used to implement a random exchange of at least one address subsignal and its inverted signal in a bank decoder and/or a row decoder in a bank and/or a column decoder in a bank, which causes that data stored before the nonvolatile memory is powered off is interrupted when the nonvolatile memory is powered off and then powered on and that data stored in the nonvolatile memory cannot be read sequentially from original storage addresses to achieve an encrypting effect and increase security of the data stored in the nonvolatile memory.