RF Tag Security Processor Shared Memory Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EPC tags have limited power sources, restricting their computing and processing capabilities and resulting in simplified cryptographic approaches due to power constraints, making them less secure.
Innovation Solution
An RF tag design that uses shared memory for message-passing, allowing the security processor to operate in a low-power sleep mode and awaken for processing, enabling robust cryptographic operations while minimizing battery consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the security processor operates continuously to perform cryptographic operations, then processing capability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The security processor operates periodically rather than continuously, transitioning between sleep mode and active mode based on authentication events. The processor awakens only when needed to perform cryptographic operations and returns to sleep mode afterward, achieving secure authentication while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the security processor based on operational requirements. The processor can transition between low-power sleep mode and active processing mode, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption profile to match actual security needs rather than maintaining a fixed operational state.
2Speed
If the security processor is kept awake to process messages immediately, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF transceiver performs preliminary actions by storing authentication-related data in shared memory before the security processor awakens. This allows the security processor to quickly process messages upon awakening without requiring continuous operation, reducing both response time penalty and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Shared memory acts as an intermediary between the RF transceiver and the security processor, enabling message passing and data exchange without requiring the security processor to be continuously awake. The shared memory buffer allows the transceiver to prepare data and the processor to retrieve it when awake, optimizing the balance between speed and power consumption.
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
This approach extends the battery life of the RF tag, enabling secure authentication and operation for many years by optimizing power usage and enhancing processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an RF transceiver within the RF tag is able to derive power from an external RF reader
Implementation Method 2
processing the message using power from a battery within the RF tag
Data Source
AI summary
A technique of message-passing using shared memory of an RF tag involves storing a message in the shared memory while a security processor of the RF tag is in a sleep mode, the security processor being constructed and arranged to access the shared memory when the security processor is in a wakened mode. The technique further involves transitioning the security processor from the sleep mode to the wakened mode, and processing the message from the shared memory using the security processor after the security processor has transitioned from the sleep mode to the wakened mode. If the security processor is awakened only as needed (rather than remain in the wakened mode), lifetime of a battery which powers the security processor can be maximized.