Security
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There hardly seems to be a day go by when the
media does not cover some kind of security issue.
The scope of security systems has grown to
beyond its roots of physical locks and protection,
to now encompass areas such as personal
information protection.
This edition of FTM looks at some of the hotter
topics being discussed in the security arena. These
include encryption of data from microcontroller
networks down to industrial products such as
control systems and metering.
Encryption developments are being driven by
the realisation that whilst connecting equipment
to the internet has many advantages, it also makes
designs vulnerable to attack and leaves a back
door into other systems. The MCF5223x (below)
performs encryption algorithms and generates
FIPS140-compliant numbers for security
processing routines with minimal CPU overhead.
In the area of physical security, this issue of
FTM includes products intended to increase the
effectiveness of security systems and reduce
false alarm rates.
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For example, Murata has introduced surfacemount
PIR sensors that increase immunity to
false triggering by small bodies (page 080224); and
Rohm Electronics has introduced ICs with
integrated adaptive image enhancement, which
improves the visibility of dark portions in highcontrast
images without increasing the overall
brightness (page 080233). The replacement of physical
wiring for faster installation or greater range is also
covered (page 080235), with the Melexis MLX71121,
which supports enhanced data integrity.
Many of technologies featured have been
developed to solve designers’ challenges, and, in
many cases, these are available with time-saving
kits or reference designs. Examples include the
point-of-sale reference design for Zilog’s system
on a chip (page 080228); NXP’s digital camera
reference design which speeds the development
of IP video capabilities (page 080226); and the starter
kits currently being offered to FTM readers by the
Future Electronics Board Club for faster
capacitive-sensing development (see page 080222 or
www.my-boardclub.com/manf-offers).
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32-bit processing emphasises connectivity with security
The MCF5223x MCU family from
Freescale Semiconductor features
low-cost, connectivity-focused
32-bit controllers offering
embedded security features
for networked applications.
The family comprises seven devices
built around the ColdFire® core and
incorporating valuable peripherals
including Ethernet PHY and MAC
modules, multi-channel PWMs and timers,
two 12-bit ADCs, three UARTs, 32kbyte SRAM and
up to 256kbyte of on-chip Flash memory.
Enhanced security for the Flash memory
combines two built-in features for data protection
in networked applications. Sector-by-sector
memory protection prevents accidental or
unwanted programme erase operations that may
sabotage the system. In addition, to prevent
unauthorised Flash-read operations, a dedicated
register containing a user-defined security word is
able to force the device into JTAG mode to prevent
unwanted access or tampering.
Among optional features within the
MCF5223x range, an advanced security module
including a Cryptographic Acceleration Unit
(CAU) and Random Number Generator
Accelerator (RNGA) support industry-standard
cryptographic techniques with minimal CPU
overheads. The CAU performs encryption using
DES, 3DES, AES, MDS or SHA-1 algorithms, while
the RNGA generates FIPS140-compliant 32-bit
numbers for security-processing routines.
The MCF5223x family also benefits from
extensive ColdFire development resources
including evaluation kits, CodeWarrior™ tools
and software support including a free TCP/IP
stack. Developers can also take advantage of
free CAU object code to accelerate advanced
security designs.
FEATURES
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- Optional CAN 2.0B controller
- 80-, 112- or 121-pin packages
- 57MIPS processing capability @ 60MHz
- 3.3V supply voltage
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APPLICATIONS
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- Small web server
- Serial-to-Ethernet bridge
- CAN-to-Ethernet bridge
- Personal Area Network (PAN) co-ordinator
- Remote node/drive unit
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Development board M52235EVB is available to members of the Future Board Club.
To apply for the development board, and membership of the Board Club, go to
www.my-boardclub.com/manf-offers.htm
This offer is free and subject to qualification. |
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