Register Write Security Unit for Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory storage devices lack effective data security mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access and data deletion without increasing the device's area through separate protection circuits.
Innovation Solution
A register with a write security unit and storage unit that utilize external write and read permission signals to control data access, allowing secure writing and reading operations without a separate protection circuit, utilizing simple logic elements like AND gates to determine permission based on signals from a CPU or external sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate protection circuit is added to protect stored data, then data security is improved, but the entire area of the memory storage device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security function is merged with the register structure by integrating the write security unit directly into the register. The write security unit combines the write permission signal input, address signal input, and write signal input to generate a control signal that directly controls the storage unit, eliminating the need for separate protection circuits while maintaining data security.
Solution Approach 2:
The register is designed to perform multiple functions: normal data storage and security-protected data storage. The write security unit enables the register to respond to write permission signals from external sources (CPU or external devices) and selectively enable or disable write operations based on the permission status, making the register universally applicable for both regular and security-critical data storage.
2Reliability
If a separate protection circuit is added to prevent unauthorized data access, then data protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is merged into the register's existing logic structure. The write security unit integrates the permission signal processing, address decoding, and write control into a single unified block within the register, avoiding the need for separate protection circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining data protection capabilities.
3Reliability
If security control logic is integrated into the register, then data security is improved, but the register area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The register is segmented into functional units: the write security unit and the storage unit. The write security unit is further segmented into signal input terminals (write permission signal input terminal, address signal input terminal, write signal input terminal) and a control signal generation logic. This segmentation allows for efficient layout and minimizes the overall area by organizing components according to their functional relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple control functions are merged into the write security unit, which processes write permission signals, address signals, and write signals simultaneously to generate the control signal for the storage unit. This merging reduces the total area compared to having separate circuits for each control function.
Data Source
AI summary
A register having a security function is provided. The register includes: a write security unit and a storage unit. The write security unit outputs a first control signal to control whether a write operation is permissible, in response to a write signal, an address signal, and a write permission signal. The storage unit writes and stores input data, in response to the first control signal. The write permission signal is received from an external source and indicates whether to protect the written data.