Microchip has announced the latest TrustAnchor safety IC to meet higher automotive safety certification requirements

     As cars continue to become more connected and more technologically advanced, so does the need for enhanced safety measures. The latest cybersecurity specifications from governments and automotive Oems are starting to include larger key sizes and the Edwards Curve ed25519 algorithm standard. To this end, Microchip Technology Inc. is introducing its latest Trust Anchor Security IC, the TA101, to address complex automotive and embedded security use cases. TA101 supports large keys up to ECC P521, SHA512, RSA-4K, and AES256 with increased security strength that exceeds current standards and leaves room for future adjustments while maintaining backward compatibility for smaller keys. TA101 offers CryptoAuthentication™ industrial-grade security ics and CryptoAutomotive™ security ics that support AEC-Q100 Level 1 compliant devices.

     The latest device in Microchip's security IC portfolio, the TA101 is designed to support automotive security, data center, and industrial applications. The encryption companion works with a single chip microcomputer (MCU) or microprocessor (MPU) to handle encryption functions including public key infrastructure, certificate management, and secure key storage requirements. The TA101 provides easy patch updates, message validation, Transport Layer security (TLS), secure boot, High bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), firmware updates, security upgrades, ownership transfer, key management, and WPC Qi 1.3 verification.

     Nuri Dagdeviren, corporate vice president of Microchip's Secure Computing Business group, said: "It is critical for original equipment manufacturers (Oems) to not only comply with current standards, but also stay one step ahead in security. By introducing 256-bit security strength-related keys, TA101 provides a great diversity of key strengths for today's and future applications. In addition, Microchip's modular security solution approach allows customers to select the best size and price for an MCU based on the focused application of the module, while standardizing on a single security solution that meets virtually all security requirements."

     By providing off-chip components that handle secure startup and information verification, the TA101 provides an alternative architecture for on-chip multi-core MCU/MPU management of in-vehicle networks. Compatible with a variety of MCUS or MPUs, the device provides a flexible solution that helps reduce costs and shorten time to market.

     TA101 provides the 1.0 algorithm suite required by the U.S. Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) and the ed25519 Curve algorithm in a single IC. TA101 is pre-programmed and pre-configured in Microchip's common standard ALC_DVS.2 certification facility, reducing the risks associated with secure code development and implementation.