Microcontroller and method for starting an application program on a microcontroller by which unauthorized access to data contained in or processed by the microcontroller is prevented

US8352753B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• austriamicrosystems AG

Inventors

• Werner Schoegler · Graz, AT
• Michael Bohm · Heimstetten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 2007
• Grant date: Jan 8, 2013
• Expiry date: May 21, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F12/1433
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A microcontroller comprises a microprocessor (1), a test interface (4) and an internal non-erasable memory (2). First control means (6) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the test interface (4), and second control means (7) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the internal non-erasable memory (2). The microprocessor (1) of the microcontroller comprises control outputs (101) which are connected with the first and second control means (6, 7). With appropriate timing of activation and deactivation of the test interface (4) and the internal non-erasable memory (2), the microcontroller offers the possibility of preventing an unauthorized access to contents of the internal non-erasable memory (2) without limiting the usability of the test interface (4) for the development of application programs. The microcontroller further offers the possibility to entirely block access to data which are stored in the microcontroller or have been processed within the microcontroller via the test interface (4).