Back to results
US 8,896,346 B1Granted
Self-modifying FPGA for anti-tamper applications
AssigneeLewis Innovative Technologies
InventorsJames M. Lewis, Joey R. Haddock, Dane R. Walther
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-modifying FPGA system includes an FPGA and a configuration memory coupled to the FPGA for providing the FPGA with configuration data including SAFE configuration data and dormant configuration data. The SAFE configuration data is initially loaded to the FPGA and the FPGA is configured to a safe operating mode. Upon a determination to proceed to a next step of self modification, dormant configuration data contained in the configuration memory is loaded into the FPGA and the FPGA is configured to a secure operating mode.
Claims7
A self-modifying FPGA system, comprising:
- an FPGA;
- a configuration memory coupled to the FPGA for providing the FPGA with configuration data including SAFE configuration data and dormant configuration data, the configuration memory including a PROM and SRAM;
- wherein the SAFE configuration data is initially loaded to the FPGA and the FPGA is configured to a safe operating mode, and upon a determination to proceed to a next step of self modification, dormant configuration data contained in the configuration memory is loaded into the FPGA and the FPGA is configured to a secure operating mode;
- and
- wherein the SAFE configuration data includes user mode logic functionality to read data from the PROM and write data to the SRAM appropriately to transfer dormant configuration data contained within the PROM to the SRAM.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.