ATSHA204A datasheet(5/93 Pages) MICROCHIP

5 / 93 page

Introduction

The following sections introduce the features and functions of the Microchip ATSHA204A crypto element

device.

1.1

Applications

The ATSHA204A is a member of the Microchip CryptoAuthentication™ family of high-security hardware

authentication devices. It has a flexible command set that allows use in many applications, including the

following:

•

Anti-Counterfeiting

Validates that a removable, replaceable, or consumable client is authentic. Example of clients could

be printer ink tanks, electronic daughter cards, medical disposables, or spare parts. The device can

also be used to validate (authenticate) a software/firmware module or memory storage element.

•

Protecting Firmware or Media

Validates code that is stored in flash memory at boot time to prevent unauthorized modifications

(this is also known as secure boot), encrypts downloaded media files and uniquely encrypts code

images to be usable on a single system only.

•

Exchanging Session Keys

Securely and easily exchanges stream encryption keys for use by an encryption/decryption engine

in the system microprocessor to manage a confidential communications channel, an encrypted

download and similar items.

•

Storing Data Securely

Stores secret keys for use by crypto accelerators in standard microprocessors. It can also be used

to store small quantities of data necessary for configuration, calibration, ePurse value, consumption

data, or other secrets. Programmable protection up through encrypted/authenticated reads and

writes.

•

Checking User Password

Validates user-entered passwords without letting the expected value become known, mapping

simple passwords to complex ones and securely exchanging password values with remote

systems.

1.2

Device Features

The ATSHA204A device includes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)

array that can be used for key storage, miscellaneous read/write data, read-only, secret data,

consumption logging and security configuration. Access to the various sections of memory can be

restricted in a variety of ways and the configuration can then be locked to prevent changes. See Section

EEPROM Organization for details.

The ATSHA204A features a wide array of defense mechanisms specifically designed to prevent physical

attacks on the device itself or logical attacks on the data transmitted between the device and the system

see Section Security Features for more details. Hardware restrictions on the way keys are used or

generated provide further defense against certain styles of attack.

Access to the device is made through a standard I2C interface at speeds of up to 1 Mb/s. see Section I2C

Interface for details. It is compatible with I2C interface specifications. The device also supports a

Single-Wire Interface (SWI) that can reduce the number of GPIOs required on the system processor

and/or reduce the number of pins on connectors. See Section Single-Wire Interface for more details.

ATSHA204A

Introduction

DS40002025A-page 5

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