Texas Instruments offers added protection against unauthorised reading of IP and sensitive data in its OMAP-L138 DSP + ARM processors and TMS320C6748 DSPs. The additions will allow secure boot and field upgrades in medical patient monitors, for example, that use proprietary, certified algorithms, as well as software defined radios to protect communications. Secure boot capability prevents external parties from modifying customer-developed algorithms. This stops unauthorised users from mis-using the customer's system and its operation by preventing insertion of malware, reverse engineering and system cloning. The other feature is multi-layer encryption. This offers the ability to upgrade boot and application software code remotely on flash memory while allowing the boot sequence to remain secure. Multi-layer encryption is enabled when a device-specific cipher key, known only to the device, is used to protect customer encryption keys. When an update is needed, the customer creates a new encrypted image using its encryption keys. Then the device can acquire the image through available connectivity options and overwrite the existing code. For applications requiring manufacturing facilities that support secure-boot technology, Logic PD, a design partner, provides design services, turnkey design that support the secure-boot technology.
