Increased Design Security Through Reconfigurable Analog and Mixed Signal Devices

Recent advances in device integration have allowed the _____ of reconfigurable devices that encompass a wide variety of common analog functions. The use of such devices has had significan positive effects on Design For Security (DFS) efforts. Since the devices have a defined set of resources

that can be configured in many ways

the overall device function is determined entirely by its programmable configuration. As a result, there are little or no "clues to function" provided by a visual examination of the PCB. Many devices, including the

have security features to prevent configuration readback. The reconfigurability of the devices allow for a tampering defense through "configuration scrubbing", or the loading of "white" configurations.