Security
Today, an increasing number of SoC designs are incorporating some level of security as a standard feature. This is especially true in digital consumer products, including set-top boxes (STBs), digital television (DTV), smartcards and mobile devices, where protection of digital content is now a requirement.
Addressing the needs of a secure environment involves a system-wide approach with a combined hardware/software solution. Any solution must consider not only system performance and power constraints, but also diverse application environments across a broad range of vertical markets.
Designers of security-enabled SoCs are challenged to provide a unique set of features and meet industry requirements across a wide range of markets and applications. They must do this in an effective and cohesive way that does not limit the functionality of the device.
Typical security functions include:
- Cryptographic acceleration, AES, 3DES and RSA
- Trusted environment to run system software and protect sensitive data
- Secure peripherals that prevent unauthorized access
- Protection against cloning and secret key access
- Isolation of the OS and extendibility of application software without compromise
MIPS® Solutions
MIPS Technologies offers a platform solution that can be configured and expanded to meet differing security requirements, the Safe SoC™ platform.
The Safe SoC platform is a configurable solution available from MIPS Technologies and third party partners, which includes:
- Cryptographic accelerator IP with AES, 3DES, ECC and RSA support
- Hypervisor software providing secure virtual processors
- Digital Rights Management software
MIPS Technologies also offers the SmartMIPS® architecture extension, implemented in the MIPS32® 4KSd™ processor core. SmartMIPS provides a secure MMU, accelerated cryptographic instructions, hacking countermeasures and JVM optimizations.
