Methods and apparatus for secure implemention of integrated circuits

Abstract

An integrated circuit may include a reconfigurable functional circuit block coupled to a microcontroller. The microcontroller may monitor a trigger register that receives trigger signals at a reconfiguration portion. The trigger signals may initiate corresponding reconfiguration operations by triggering the execution of instructions in a reconfiguration sequence program to load appropriate configuration data to configuration registers. The configuration registers may determine the operating mode of the functional circuit block by activating a subcomponent module in the functional circuit block. By providing a reconfiguration port that has full control of the reconfiguration of the functional circuit block, sensitive information regarding the implementation of the functional circuit block, the microcontroller, and connections therebetween may be protected while simplifying the design process for a custom logic circuit generated based on the reconfigurable functional circuit block.