Semiconductor Device Double Program Prohibition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonvolatile memory systems with the STB function face a reduction in usable memory area when hacked, leading to system operation difficulties due to memory regions being put into a program prohibited state, hindering system performance.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with memory regions and program prohibition information units, utilizing first and second prohibition information control circuits to manage program prohibition information states, ensuring that changes from a program prohibited state to a program allowed state require simultaneous authorization from both control circuits, thereby preventing unauthorized changes and maintaining high security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single prohibition information control circuit is used to manage program prohibition states, then the control structure is simple, but the security against hacking is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single prohibition information control circuit is divided into two independent control circuits: a first prohibition information control circuit and a second prohibition information control circuit. Each circuit manages one aspect of program prohibition information, creating a segmented control structure that enhances security through multiple layers of authorization while maintaining manageable complexity through clear functional separation.
2Reliability
If memory regions are put into program prohibited state for security protection, then security is improved, but the usable memory area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the authorization parameters required for program prohibition information through dual control circuit authorization. By requiring simultaneous authorization from both the first and second prohibition information control circuits, the system maintains high security protection while allowing flexible control over which memory regions are protected, thus optimizing the balance between security and usable memory area.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method for controlling the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including memory regions; program prohibition information units storing program prohibition information to be used for determining whether to prohibit or allow programming in the memory regions corresponding to the program prohibition information units; a first prohibition information control circuit that prohibits a change of the program prohibition information from a program prohibiting state with respect to a memory region based on first prohibition information; and a second prohibition information control circuit that prohibits a change of the program prohibition information from a program allowing state to a program prohibiting state with respect to the corresponding memory region based on second prohibition information with respect to the corresponding memory region.