Re: Secure cores?

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

>> Does anyone know if a manufacturer is providing chips with the
>> secure core?  Atmel had advertised some secure ARMs, but none of
>> them fit our product spec (the one that did wouldn't give us info
>> unless quantities were 10000+/year ... so I am not sure if this is
>> vapor ware).
> 
> No, This is standard operating procedure for any SmartCard IC.
> Denial of access to hackers, is part of the security mechanism.
> I think it is 10000 / order and 100,000 per year, but I maybe wrong.
 

Hmmm?  That seems somewhat counter intuitive.  If a manufacturer can
make 100,000/year, then they are in volumes where an ASIC would make
sense and could buy the SoftCore (or maybe ARM charges for both the
arm and the leg).  Anyways, I would think that high volume OEMs would
be more likely to make their own chip.

Oh well, I guess it is off to 8 bit land of the 8051.

Thanks,
Bill Pringlemeir.

-- 
No matter where you go, there you are.  - Buckeroo Bonzai.