Patent · US Expired

Microcomputer with internal ram security during external program mode

US5134700A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
7References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 18, 1987
Grant dateJul 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 18, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F12/1433
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A microcomputer which is operable in either an internal program mode, wherein the microcomputer functions in accordance with an internally stored program, or in an external program mode, wherein the microcomputer functions in accordance with a program stored in a memory external to the microcomputer, provides internal RAM security during the external program mode. The microcomputer includes an internal program memory for internally storing programs; a bus for connection to an external memory for carrying programs from the external program memory; a nonsecure RAM for storing nonsecure data; a secure RAM for storing secure data; a central processing unit for processing the stored data and/or externally provided data either in accordance with the internally stored programs or in accordance with programs stored in the external memory; and a controller for controlling interconnections between the internal program memory, the bus, the RAMs and the central processing unit in accordance with the mode of operation of the microcomputer; wherein during the external program mode, the controller inhibits access to the secure RAM. Code for accessing the secure data stored in the secure RAM is co…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.