METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE FOR SECURE CHIP OPERATION

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring performance of an processor to detect tampering and place the processor in a safe operating state that prevents unauthorized access to contents of the processor. In one example, the method and apparatus compares a measured value of an operating parameter (i.e., a temperature, supply voltage or clock signal) to predefined limits to identify an out of limits measured value. If an out of limits measured value is detected during a normal operating mode, the processor enters a reset mode, and if an out of limits measured value is detected during power up or reset, the processor in retained a reset mode.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring performance of a processor to detect tampering and place the processor in a safe operating state that prevents unauthorized access to contents of the processor, comprising:
during a normal operating mode and at least one of a power up and a reset mode, comparing a measured value of an operating parameter to a predefined set of high and low limits for the measured value to identify an out of limits measured value; and if an out of limits measured value is detected during the normal operating mode, causing the processor to enter a reset mode, and if an out of limits measured value is detected during the at least one of a power up and a reset mode, retaining the processor in a reset mode.