Atmel Corporation

Michael J Seymour

Kerry D Maletsky

Carl M Stanchak

Balaji Badam

David Durant

Brad Phillip Garner

Daniel J Russell

An integrated circuit device comprises a processor and a secure protection zone with security properties that can be verified by a remote device communicating with the integrated circuit device. The secure protection zone includes a persistent storage that is configured for storing cryptographic keys and data. The secure protection zone also includes instructions that are configured for causing the processor to perform cryptographic operations using the cryptographic keys. In addition, the secure protection zone includes an ephemeral memory that is configured for storing information associated with the cryptographic operations. The instructions are configured for causing the processor to perform the cryptographic operations on the data stored in the persistent storage and the information in the ephemeral memory as part of a secure communication exchange with the remote device.

Generating signatures using a secure device

Methods and systems are disclosed for an integrated voltage regulator with open loop digital control for power stepping. In one aspect, a method for regulating an output voltage includes receiving data indicative of a power setting associated with an identified state of an electrical circuit, the power setting based on a load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state, enabling one or more parallel driver segments based on the received data indicative of the power setting. The method further includes sourcing by the enabled one or more parallel driver segments sufficient current to meet the load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state while maintaining the output voltage at a predetermined voltage level, and providing the output voltage to the electrical circuit at the predetermined voltage level.

Fully integrated voltage regulator using open loop digital control for optimum power stepping and slew rate

A client device that is coupled to a host device sends a parent public key and an associated certificate to the host device. The parent public key, the certificate and a corresponding parent private key are stored in secure persistent storage included in a secure device associated with the client device. The client device receives instructions from the host device for generating a child private and public key pair. In response to receiving the instructions, the client device generates a child private key based on a first random number produced within the secure device, and a child public key associated with the child private key. The client device computes a first signature on the child public key using the parent private key. The client device sends the child public key and the first signature to the host device.

Generating keys using secure hardware

An oscillator circuit having a first node oscillating with a first indeterminate duty cycle and having a second node oscillating with a predetermined second duty cycle. Both nodes oscillate at similar frequencies. A variable current source and a switch are coupled in series between Vcc and ground with the output of the variable current source being the second node. The first node controls the switch, which is closed when the first node is at a first logic state and is opened when it is at a second logic state. During each cycle, a monitoring circuit measures the time span that the first node is at the first logic state and adjusts the magnitude of the variable current source to make it directly proportional to the measured time span. By adjusting the variable current source, the second node can be made to reach a desired voltage level in a desired amount of time during each cycle. In a second embodiment, a current limiting transistor is inserted between the second node and the switch. The current limiting transistor is controlled by the monitoring circuit and is made to reduce the influence of the switch on the second node as the duty cycle of the first node approaches the predetermined second duty cycle.

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Michael J Seymour