PCIe Register Access Validation for Secure Memory Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory device technologies face challenges in secure and efficient register access, particularly in volatile and non-volatile memory systems, where unauthorized access can occur, and traditional side band buses are slower for operations like booting and accessing debug data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bus-based system, such as PCIe address space, for register access that uses a shared formula with firmware and hardware to verify command information, including a seed and answer, to secure access and improve speed by allowing read, write, and erase operations simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If side band buses are used for register access, then data integrity is maintained, but access speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data bus and address bus into a single PCIe interface, allowing register access to share the same high-speed communication channel as data operations. This integration enables the system to achieve fast access speeds while maintaining data integrity through protocol-level validation mechanisms inherent in PCIe.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCIe interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it handles both data transfer operations and register access operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate side band buses, providing high-speed access for both data and control operations while maintaining system reliability through unified error handling and validation.
2Speed
If PCIe address space is used for register access, then access speed is improved, but security against unauthorized access may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary validation of command information before executing register access operations. The controller verifies the validity of commands received via PCIe address space before granting access, preventing unauthorized operations from compromising system security while maintaining high-speed access for legitimate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller validates command information and provides responses to the host system. This feedback loop ensures that only properly authenticated and validated commands are executed, maintaining security while enabling fast access through the PCIe interface.
3Reliability
If validation process is implemented for command information, then unauthorized access is limited, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validation of command information is performed as a preliminary step before command execution. By validating the command structure, address range, and authorization credentials in advance, the system ensures security without requiring repeated validation during the actual data transfer, thus minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes validation parameters and thresholds to balance security and performance. By adjusting validation strictness based on command types and access patterns, the system achieves adequate security protection while minimizing the time overhead associated with validation processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus can include a memory device and a controller coupled to the memory device configured to receive a command including command information to access a register from a host device. The controller can grant access to the register in response to the controller determining the command is valid and/or deny access to the register in response to the controller determining the command is invalid. The controller can determine the command is valid by calculating an answer using a seed from the command in a formula and verifying the calculated answer matches an answer from the command. The command, once verified as valid, can allow the host device to access configuration registers and/or data registers.