Managing Security in a System on a Chip (SOC) that Powers Down a Secure Processor

摘要

An SOC includes a secure processor and an always-on component. The always-on component may remain powered even during times that other parts of the SOC are powered off. Particularly, the secure processor and related circuitry may be powered off, while various state for the secure processor may be stored in memory in an encrypted form. Certain state may be stored in the always-on component. When the secure processor is powered on again, the secure processor may check for the state in the always-on component. If the state is found, the secure processor may retrieve the state and use the state to access the encrypted memory state.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a system memory; a memory controller coupled to the system memory; a secure component coupled to the memory controller, wherein a first portion of the system memory is dedicated to storing first data for the secure component during use, wherein the secure component is protected from access by other components of the system during use; and a first component coupled to the secure component and the memory controller, wherein the first component is powered on during use at least some times when the secure component and the memory controller are powered off, and wherein the first component includes a first memory, and wherein a second portion of the first memory is dedicated to storing second data for the secure component during use, and wherein the first component is configured to prevent access to the second data except by the secure component.