PCIe Edge Connector Protector with Integrated Charge Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardware security modules (HSMs) face challenges in maintaining continuous power supply when disconnected from external power sources, limiting their operational time to less than the required five years as stipulated by standards like FIPS Publication 140-2, which compromises their ability to prevent and detect unauthorized access to secure data.
Innovation Solution
A PCIe PC card apparatus with a primary battery and a supplemental charge storage device integrated into the edge connector protector, which provides enduring power to the electronic security device, extending the operational time to at least five years by completing an electrical circuit between the supplemental charge storage device and the security device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a primary battery is used to power the electronic security device when external power is disconnected, then the device can maintain operation for a period, but the operational duration is insufficient to meet the five-year requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a primary battery and a supplemental charge storage device into a dual-power architecture. The primary battery provides initial power, while the supplemental charge storage device integrated into the edge connector protector provides extended power, together achieving the five-year operational requirement while maintaining security protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental charge storage device is nested within the edge connector protector structure. This nested design allows the charge storage device to be hidden from view and integrated into the existing connector structure, providing extended power capability without adding external components that could compromise security or increase device complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a supplemental charge storage device is integrated into the edge connector protector, then the operational time is extended to five years, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental charge storage device is nested within the edge connector protector structure. This nested design allows the charge storage device to be hidden from view and integrated into the existing connector structure, providing extended power capability without adding external components that could compromise security or increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge connector protector serves multiple functions: it protects the electrically conductive fingers, provides structural support for connection, and houses the supplemental charge storage device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity while achieving the five-year operational requirement.
3Reliability
If the supplemental charge storage device is hidden from view and integrated into the connector, then the security is enhanced, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental charge storage device is nested within the edge connector protector structure. This nested design allows the charge storage device to be hidden from view and integrated into the existing connector structure, providing extended power capability without adding external components that could compromise security or increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the supplemental charge storage device with the edge connector protector into a single integrated assembly. This merging of functions allows the connector and power supply to be manufactured and assembled together as one unit, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining security through the hidden, integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures extended tamper detection and prevention capabilities, meeting the five-year operational requirement by augmenting the primary battery's charge storage capacity, thereby enhancing the security and reliability of sensitive data stored on HSMs.
Implementation Method 1
a primary battery configured to supply, when external power is disconnected from the PCIe card, power to an electronic security device mounted on the PCIe card
Implementation Method 2
a supplemental charge storage device that is hidden from view and that is integrated into the PCIe edge connector protector... configured to transfer supplemental power from the supplemental charge storage device to the electronic security device
Implementation Method 3
electrically conductive contacts configured to transfer supplemental power from the supplemental charge storage device to the electronic security device by completing, through contacting corresponding electrically conductive fingers of the PCIe edge connector, an electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit (PC) card apparatus can, in an absence of external power provided to a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) PC card, prevent and detect unauthorized access to secure data stored on a memory device mounted on the PCIe PC card. The PCIe card includes a primary battery to supply, when external power is disconnected from the PCIe card, power to an electronic security device mounted on the PCIe card. The PC card apparatus also includes a PCIe edge connector protector enclosing electrically conductive fingers of a PCIe edge card connector. The PCIe edge connector protector includes a hidden supplemental charge storage device integrated into the PCIe edge connector protector. The PCIe edge connector protector also includes electrically conductive contacts to transfer supplemental power from the supplemental charge storage device to the electronic security device.