US 6,212,639 B1Granted

Encryption of configuration stream

AssigneeXilinx, Inc.

InventorsCharles R. Erickson, Danesh Tavana, Victor A. Holen

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Abstract

A method of communicating encrypted configuration data between a programmable logic device (PLD) and a storage device is included in one part of the invention. The method includes the following steps. Transmit encrypted configuration data stored in a storage device to the PLD. Decrypt the encrypted configuration data to generate a copy of the configuration data in the PLD. Configure the PLD using the copy of the configuration data. In one embodiment, the PLD transmits a key to the storage device. In another embodiment the key is separately entered into the storage device and the PLD and never transmitted between the PLD and the storage device. In another embodiment, the key is entered only into the PLD. The key is used to encrypt the configuration data.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A method of communicating encrypted configuration data between a programmable logic device (PLD) and a storage device, the method comprising:

storing first and second unencrypted configuration data for the PLD in the storage device, the first configuration data for implementing a public key cryptography circuit, the second configuration data for implementing a desired circuit design;
transmitting the unencrypted first configuration data to the PLD,
configuring the PLD using the unencrypted first configuration data to implement the public key cryptography circuit;
establishing a secure communications link between the storage device and the PLD using the public key cryptography circuit, whereby the storage device and the PLD exchange a secret key;
encrypting the second configuration data using the secret key;
transmitting the encrypted configuration data from the storage device to the PLD;
and
decrypting the encrypted configuration data using the secret key to generate the second configuration data.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/342,336Filed 29 Jun 1999 · division
Priority: 26 Aug 1996
Granted: 3 Apr 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G06F 21/57
Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems: certifying or…
G06F 12/1408
Protection against unauthorised use of memory or access to memory: by using cryptography
G06F 21/85
Protecting input, output or interconnection devices: interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
G06F
Computing and data processing