Industrial Component Authentication Using EEPROM Identity Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in authenticating components that lack firmware, microprocessors, or microcontrollers, as existing authentication methods are not feasible for these components, posing risks from counterfeit, stolen, or modified parts.
Innovation Solution
Equipping industrial automation components with electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) that store identifying information, which can be read by the system to authenticate components, even in the absence of processors or microcontrollers, using redundant secure memory devices to ensure authentication and system integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication certificates are used with firmware, microcontrollers, and microprocessors to authenticate components, then authentication capability is improved, but this approach cannot be applied to components that lack firmware, microcontrollers, or microprocessors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from processor-dependent firmware/microcontrollers and implements it in a standalone EEPROM memory device. This allows authentication to occur without requiring any processor, microcontroller, or firmware, thereby enabling components without these elements to be authenticated while maintaining security capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using EEPROM that mediates between the component and the authentication system. The EEPROM stores authentication data and can be read by the control system to verify component authenticity, serving as a bridge that enables authentication for components lacking traditional processing elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If components are procured from unauthorized sources to reduce costs, then cost is reduced, but system security and reliability deteriorate due to counterfeit, stolen, or modified components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication by equipping components with EEPROM devices that store authentication data before the components are installed in the system. The control system reads and verifies this authentication data during system initialization or component installation, preventing counterfeit or unauthorized components from being integrated into the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by establishing an authentication barrier that prevents unauthorized components from entering the system. The EEPROM-based authentication mechanism proactively identifies and blocks counterfeit, stolen, or modified components before they can compromise system security, countering the risks associated with procuring components from unauthorized sources.
3Device complexity
If components lack firmware, microprocessors, or microcontrollers to simplify design and reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but authentication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication functionality from complex processor-based systems and implements it in a simple EEPROM memory device. This allows components to maintain their simplified design without processors or firmware while still possessing authentication capability through the standalone EEPROM that stores and provides authentication data.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first component of an industrial automation system includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storing data identifying the first component. The data identifying the first component is read from the EEPROM by a second component to which the first component is communicatively coupled to authenticate the first component. The first component lacks a processor and a microcontroller, and does not run firmware.