FPGA Lock Core
The FPGA Lock Core is designed to secure FPGA designs and prevent IP theft, utilizing a Microchip ATSHA204A hardened crypto authentication IC. This small FPGA core, which communicates via a single FPGA pin, aims to block unlicensed access to FPGA functionalities by leveraging crypto-authentication. It operates by executing a secure hashing sequence that ensures only authorized hardware is used, thus safeguarding against counterfeiting and unauthorized duplication.
When activated, the core sends a unique 256-bit challenge to the ATSHA204A which, along with its unique ID and a secret key, generates a SHA256 hash. This result is then checked against an internally computed hash within the FPGA Lock core, enabling full functionality of the FPGA only if the hashes match. This method ensures hardware integrity across various applications, including Military, Defense, and Medical fields.
The hardware implementation is minimalist, requiring only the ATSHA204A, a pull-up resistor, and a capacitor, offering a low-cost solution. The core, which occupies about 720 registers, is provided in clear VHDL, ensuring full functional transparency. Adaptable to Intel and Xilinx FPGAs, the lock mechanism can be integrated into existing projects with ease, and example designs for Cyclone10 and Artix evaluation boards demonstrate its application.
Nial Stewart Developments Ltd.
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