Optical Transceiver Encrypted Microcode Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical transceivers have inflexible controller functionality, limiting their ability to adapt to dynamic operational conditions and preventing secure execution of microcode, which can lead to unauthorized or improper code execution.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a processor and memory within the optical transceiver to receive, decrypt, and execute encrypted microcode, ensuring secure and flexible control of transceiver operations by allowing dynamic adjustments and preventing unauthorized execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If hardware state machines are used for controller functionality, then operational speed is improved, but functional flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller operation speedVSAvoidcontroller functionality flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is segmented into a hardware state machine portion for speed-critical functions and a software microcode portion for flexible functions. This allows the system to leverage both hardware speed and software flexibility by dividing responsibilities between the two components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Microcode serves as an intermediary layer between the hardware state machine and the external environment. It provides a flexible software interface that can be updated without changing the hardware, while the hardware state machine provides the high-speed execution engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If microcode is stored in plaintext, then ease of loading is improved, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrocode loading easeVSAvoidmicrocode execution security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The microcode is encrypted before being stored or transmitted to the optical transceiver. The decryption process is performed as a preliminary action before execution, ensuring that the microcode remains protected throughout storage and transmission while still allowing legitimate execution after proper decryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The encryption process, which initially seems to complicate the loading process, actually provides security benefits. The decryption mechanism ensures that only authorized microcode can be executed, converting the potential harm of unauthorized code execution into a protected system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If encryption is implemented for microcode, then security is improved, but processing complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrocode execution securityVSAvoiddecrypt and execute mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver performs its own decryption of the microcode using encryption keys stored within the device. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external decryption infrastructure, reducing system-wide complexity while maintaining strong security through built-in cryptographic capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7610494B2Encrypted microcode update of an optical transceiver

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 II VI DELAWARE INC

AI summary

An optical transceiver (or optical transmitter or optical receiver) that has at least one processor and a memory. The optical transceiver receives encrypted microcode from a source. The optical transceiver may then decrypt the received microcode to create decrypted microcode. The decrypted microcode is then written to the memory, where it may be executed by the at least one processor. The microcode, when executed by the at least one processor, controls one or more functions of the optical transceiver.