Speculative Activation Controller for Secure Element Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure elements in electronic devices face inefficiencies in power management and transaction speed due to the need to keep resource entities powered up for rapid access or to power them down to conserve energy, leading to delays in secure transactions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an activation controller that speculatively issues an activation signal to resource entities within the electronic device before a secure transaction is initiated, based on predictive monitoring of sensor outputs such as geospatial position or electromagnetic fields, allowing the resource entities to power up and be ready for the transaction without delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If resource entities are kept powered up for rapid access, then transaction speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activation controller performs preliminary action by speculatively activating resource entities before a secure transaction is actually needed. The controller monitors sensor outputs (geospatial position, electromagnetic fields) to predict when a transaction is likely to occur and activates the resource entities in advance, so they are ready when the transaction initiates. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding both the delays of waking from sleep mode and the waste of keeping entities continuously powered up.
2Use of energy by moving object
If resource entities are powered down to conserve energy, then power efficiency is improved, but transaction time increases due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The activation controller performs preliminary action by speculatively activating resource entities before a secure transaction is actually needed. The controller monitors sensor outputs (geospatial position, electromagnetic fields) to predict when a transaction is likely to occur and activates the resource entities in advance, so they are ready when the transaction initiates. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding both the delays of waking from sleep mode and the waste of keeping entities continuously powered up.
3Device complexity
If secure element uses external resource entities, then secure element size and cost are reduced, but operational efficiency decreases due to power management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The activation controller performs self-service by autonomously monitoring sensor outputs and automatically activating resource entities based on predictive conditions. The system serves itself by detecting when a secure transaction is likely to occur (through geospatial position or electromagnetic field monitoring) and proactively activating the necessary resource entities without external intervention. This maintains the benefits of a smaller secure element while automating the power management process to minimize operational efficiency penalties.
Data Source
AI summary
If a secure element accesses a resource that is separate from the secure element, conducting a secure transaction can be inefficient in terms of power or time. Power usage is inefficient if the resource is never permitted to sleep, and transaction time is inefficient if the resource is permitted to sleep, and the user experiences a delay. To enable dual efficiency, a resource entity is permitted to be powered down. The resource entity is then powered up speculatively by an activation controller. The activation controller predicts an upcoming secure transaction based on sensor output, such as a position fix or a detected electromagnetic field. Based on monitored sensor output, the activation controller issues an activation signal to power up the secure element or the resource entity prior to initiation of the upcoming secure transaction. Thus, power can be conserved without introducing a transaction-processing latency.