Hardware Secure Element Command Routing for Low-Latency Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secure processing systems in automotive applications face challenges in efficiently communicating between non-secure and secure processing units, particularly in handling encryption operations and error management, which can lead to latency and robustness issues.
Innovation Solution
A hardware secure element with a microprocessor and memory storing software routines, including command handlers and error handlers, is introduced, along with a message handler module that uses a look-up table to determine the appropriate software routine for execution based on received commands, and a parameter check module to validate parameters for security services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure element with microprocessor and software routines is used, then security functionality is improved, but processing latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures a look-up table in the hardware message handler module that maps command codes to software routine addresses. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for sequential software-based command parsing and routine selection during runtime, thereby reducing processing latency while maintaining secure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based command handling with a hardware message handler module that uses a look-up table for rapid command-to-routine mapping. This substitution of hardware for software mechanics significantly reduces processing latency while preserving the security functions implemented in software routines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software routines are stored in memory, then security service versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware message handler module that can dispatch to multiple different software routines stored in memory. This single hardware component provides multi-functionality by supporting various security services through the look-up table mechanism, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The look-up table acts as an intermediary between the hardware message handler and the multiple software routines in memory. It simplifies the interface complexity by providing a direct mapping from command codes to routine addresses, allowing the system to support multiple security services without requiring complex routing logic.
3Productivity
If hardware message handler with look-up table is implemented, then communication efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The look-up table stores address copies of software routine locations rather than the routines themselves. This copying approach allows the hardware message handler to efficiently dispatch to multiple routines without duplicating their code, thereby improving communication efficiency while keeping the manufacturing complexity manageable through compact table storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A hardware secure element is described. The hardware secure element includes a microprocessor and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory. The memory stores a plurality of software routines executable by the microprocessor. Each software routine starts at a respective memory start address. The hardware secure element also includes a receiver circuit and a hardware message handler module. The receiver circuit is configured to receive command data that includes a command. The hardware message handler module is configured to determine a software routine to be executed by the microprocessor as a function of the command, and also configured to provide address data to the microprocessor that indicates the software routine to be executed.