Microprocessor with single pin for memory wipe
US5515540A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 7, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2143
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A nonvolatile microcontroller (or microprocessor) with improved security against tampering, including attempts at active intrusion. According to this invention, a battery-backed microcontroller includes encryption and power management functions, and is combined with a battery and a volatile semiconductor memory (e.g. an SRAM). The microcontroller supplies power to the semiconductor memory (either from a system power supply or from the battery). When a security violation is detected, the microcontroller wipes its encryption registers, and also grounds the power-output pin to the memory. This will destroy all data in the volatile memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.