Memory domain based security control with data processing systems
US7966466B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3802
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Access to memory address space is controlled by memory access control circuitry using access control data. The ability to change the access control data is controlled by domain control circuitry. Whether or not an instruction stored within a particular domain, being a set of memory addresses, is able to modify the access control data is dependent upon the domain concerned. Thus, the ability to change access control data can be restricted to instructions stored within particular defined locations within the memory address space thereby enhancing security. This capability allows systems to be provided in which call forwarding to an operating system can be enforced via call forwarding code and where trusted regions of the memory address space can be established into which a secure operating system may write data with increased confidence that that data will only be accessible by trusted software executing under control of a non-secure operating system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.