Apparatus and method for providing user-generated key schedule in a microprocessor cryptographic engine
US8060755B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/24
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations within microprocessor. The apparatus includes an instruction register having a cryptographic instruction disposed therein, a keygen unit, and an execution unit. The cryptographic instruction is received by a microprocessor as part of an instruction flow executing on the microprocessor. The cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations, and also prescribes that a user-generated key schedule be employed when executing the one of the cryptographic operations. The keygen unit is operatively coupled to the instruction register. The keygen unit directs the microprocessor to load the user-generated key schedule. The execution unit is operatively coupled to the keygen unit. The execution unit employs the user-generated key schedule to execute the one of the cryptographic operations. The execution unit includes a cryptography unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.