Programmable IC Restriction via Signed Bitstreams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Broad export controls and grey market sales of programmable integrated circuits (ICs) restrict commercial interests and lead to losses due to unknown device functions and unauthorized use.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a provider generates signed and encrypted configuration bitstreams using private keys to restrict programmable ICs to specific circuit designs, converting general-purpose ICs into application-specific ICs that can only be programmed with authorized bitstreams, thereby limiting their use and preventing grey market sales.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If general purpose programmable ICs are exported, then commercial interests can fully realize return on investment, but the devices are subject to restrictive export controls because their function is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the programmability parameter of the IC from general-purpose to application-specific through configuration bitstream restriction. By signing configuration bitstreams with private keys and restricting the IC to only accept these signed bitstreams, the device transitions from having unknown/versatile function to having known/specific function, thereby removing export control restrictions while maintaining commercial viability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the configuration process into distinct phases: generating configuration bitstreams with specific circuit designs, signing them with private keys, and restricting the IC to only accept these signed bitstreams. This segmentation transforms the IC from a general-purpose device subject to export controls into an application-specific device with known function
2Productivity
If programmable ICs are sold to buyers who may resell them, then sales volume increases, but grey market sales hurt the maker's planned sales and cause financial loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by embedding authentication mechanisms in advance during the configuration bitstream generation process. Private keys are used to sign bitstreams before the IC is even delivered to the customer, creating a preventive barrier against unauthorized grey market resale rather than attempting to detect or stop it afterward
Solution Approach 2:
The signed configuration bitstream acts as an intermediary that mediates between the IC and any potential reseller. The bitstream contains authentication information that prevents the IC from functioning with unauthorized configurations, effectively blocking grey market resale while allowing legitimate sales to proceed
3Reliability
If programmable ICs are restricted to specific applications, then export controls are avoided and grey market sales are prevented, but the ICs lose their general-purpose programmability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the programmability parameter from general-purpose to application-specific through configuration bitstream restriction. By signing configuration bitstreams with private keys and restricting the IC to only accept these signed bitstreams, the device transitions from having unknown/versatile function to having known/specific function, thereby removing export control restrictions while maintaining commercial viability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed approaches for limiting use or a programmable IC involve a provider of programmable ICs generating, using one or more private keys of the provider, one or more signed configuration bitstreams from one or more circuit designs received from a customer. The provider changes the general purpose programmable IC into an application programmable IC that can only be programmed by the one or more signed configuration bitstreams. The application programmable IC and the one or more signed configuration bitstreams are provided from the provider to the customer.