Apparatus and method for generating unpredictable processor-unique serial number for use as an encryption key
AssigneeVIA Technologies, Inc.
InventorsG. Glenn Henry, Terry Parks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microprocessor includes a manufacturing ID that is stored in the microprocessor during manufacture thereof in a non-volatile manner. The manufacturing ID is unique to the microprocessor. The microprocessor also includes a secret encryption key that is stored internally within the microprocessor and unreadable externally from the microprocessor. The microprocessor also includes an AES encryption engine, coupled to receive the manufacturing ID and the secret encryption key, configured to encrypt the manufacturing ID using the secret encryption key to generate an unpredictable key that is unique to the microprocessor.
Claims21
A microprocessor, comprising:
- a manufacturing ID, stored in the microprocessor during manufacture thereof in a non-volatile manner, wherein the manufacturing ID is unique to the microprocessor;
- a secret encryption key, stored internally within the microprocessor and unreadable externally from the microprocessor;
- and
- an AES encryption engine, coupled to receive the manufacturing ID and the secret encryption key, configured to encrypt the manufacturing ID using the secret encryption key to generate an unpredictable key that is unique to the microprocessor.
A method, comprising:
- storing a manufacturing ID in a microprocessor during manufacture thereof in a non-volatile manner, wherein the manufacturing ID is unique to the microprocessor;
- storing a secret encryption key internally within the microprocessor in a manner unreadable externally from the microprocessor;
- and
- encrypting the manufacturing ID using the secret encryption key to generate an unpredictable key that is unique to the microprocessor, wherein said encrypting is performed by an AES encryption engine of the microprocessor.
A computer program product for use with a computing device, the computer program product comprising:
- a computer usable storage medium, having computer readable program code embodied in said medium, for specifying a microprocessor, the computer readable program code comprising:
- first program code for specifying a manufacturing ID, stored in the microprocessor during manufacture thereof in a non-volatile manner, wherein the manufacturing ID is unique to the microprocessor;
- second program code for specifying a secret encryption key, stored internally within the microprocessor and unreadable externally from the microprocessor;
- and
- third program code for specifying an AES encryption engine, coupled to receive the manufacturing ID and the secret encryption key, configured to encrypt the manufacturing ID using the secret encryption key to generate an unpredictable key that is unique to the microprocessor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.