These options range from secure key generation based on SRAM PUF to full security solutions including bitstream encryption, key wrapping, authentication tags, key verification, and data encryption/decryption for storage within the device or for board or system-level communications.
This partnership looks to create a seamless integration of the solutions provided by both companies, and will allow QuickLogic’s eFPGA customers to add security functionality without any further integration effort.
Intrinsic ID’s solutions are based on Physical Unclonable Functions, or PUFs, which are unique physical characteristic of a specific device that can be used to generate a device-specific encryption key.
For SoCs using eFPGA technology, the PUF can be standard SRAM cells or FPGA logic cells specifically configured for PUF purposes. In either case, the PUF gives each individual device a unique digital fingerprint, which can be used to generate an encryption root key whenever it is needed. This approach avoids the need to store the key and thus expose it to hackers. It also ensures that each key is unique to the specific device in which it is generated.
In addition to PUF-based key generation, Intrinsic ID offers a complete SoC security solution called QuiddiKey, which adds functionality including encrypting secret keys and data, deriving wrapping keys to protect other functions, adding authentication tags, and verifying authentication tags and decrypting the associated contents.
The benefits of this approach include offering a higher level of security than traditional key storage, enabling the creation and storage of an unlimited number of secure keys, and minimizing hardware overhead.
QuiddiKey also enables the wrapping of keys used for bitstream encryption with device unique keys, allowing device owners to protect the device and IP so a trusted supply chain is guaranteed.
“QuickLogic’s Australis eFPGA generator and eFPGA technology give SoC developers a quick and easy way to embed programmable technology into their devices,” said Pim Tuyls, CEO at Intrinsic ID. “Our partnership with QuickLogic adds a level of security to these programmable logic architectures enabling customers to further enhance their platforms with high security for protecting their critical IP, communications, and supply chains.”
“The collaboration between Intrinsic ID and QuickLogic has resulted in multiple solutions for SoC customers who wish to secure critical IP, entire designs, or even system-level communications,” added Mao Wang, senior marketing director at QuickLogic. “This security complements the flexibility inherent in eFPGA-based SoCs and is an excellent fit for a wide variety of industrial IoT and other applications including aerospace and defence.”
