Methods, apparatus and systems with loadable kernel architecture for processors

Abstract

A device () for improved security includes a processor () and a secure writeable memory () coupled to said processor () and including code () to download a loadable security kernel to the processor (), authenticate the loadable security kernel, and transfer the kernel so that the kernel begins at a predetermined address inside the secure writeable memory () only if the authentication is successful. A process () of manufacturing a target communication device () having a memory space having a secure writable portion () of the memory space, the manufacturing process () using a host machine (). The manufacturing process () includes downloading () the loadable security kernel from the host machine () to the memory space at the target (). The loadable security kernel has a flashing entry point. The process also includes authenticating () the downloaded loadable security kernel received at the target (), moving () the loadable security kernel in the memory space provided the authenticating is successful (), wherein after the moving () the loadable security kernel is in the secure writable portion () of the memory space; and jumping () to a predetermined location in the secure writable portion of the memory space, the predetermined location coinciding with the flashing entry point of the security kernel as moved.