Maxlinear, Inc.

Qiming Wu

Jiaxiang Shi

Chun Feng Hu

Yao Chye Lee

A boot read only memory (ROM) chip unit can perform a secure boot routine based on various operations. A processor device comprises a boot ROM chip with processing circuitry on a system board configured to perform a system board power up according to a read operation in a one-time-programmable OTP memory/non-volatile memory (NVM). The OTP memory/NVM includes a spare area in a portion of the OTP/NVM that can receive a first sequence pattern. The processor determines whether a secure boot indication indicates a secure boot routine, and differentiates one or more read return content of the OTP memory/NVM between a wrongly read return content and a trusted read return content, in response to, or concurrent with, the secure boot indication indicating the secure boot routine.

Non-volatile-memory (NVM) contents read return validation

Anti-fault injection systems and methods are disclosed. An anti-fault injection system includes a processor; a boot ROM configured to store a series of boot instructions executable by the processor; and anti-fault injection controller circuitry. The anti-fault injection controller circuitry is accessible to the processor while the processor is executing the boot instructions. The anti-fault injection controller circuitry includes interrupt/reset circuitry configured to interrupt the processor in response to a trigger and secure boot circuitry. The secure boot circuitry is configured to, in response to being accessed by the processor: determine whether the processor is executing non-secure boot instructions in error; and in response to detecting that the processor is executing non-secure boot instructions in error, provide the trigger to the interrupt/reset circuitry.

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Qiming Wu