Secure 8 Click Board
Secure 8 Click Board
Key Features
- Cryptographic co-processor with secure hardware-based key storage, hardware support for asymmetric sign, verify, key agreement, networking key management, secure boot support, two interface options, and more
- Based on the ATECC608B - cryptographic coprocessor with secure hardware-based key storage from Microchip
- Can be used for various security applications such as Network/IoT node endpoint security, secure boot, small message encryption, key generation for software download, and more
- mikroBUS: I2C and SWI Interfaces
Overview
The Secure 8 Click Board™ is a compact add-on board containing hardware-based key storage with a cryptographic accelerator to implement authentication and encryption protocol. This board features the ATECC608B, a member of the Microchip CryptoAuthentication™ family of high-security cryptographic devices with a wide array of defense mechanisms specifically designed to prevent logical attacks on the data transmitted between the device and the system. An integrated EEPROM can be used to store up to 16 keys, certificates, miscellaneous read/write, read-only or secret data, consumption logging, and security configurations. It also allows memory-section restrictions in several different ways. This version of the Secure Click board™ carries two versions of the ATECC608B, thus supporting the I2C and the Single Wire (SWI) interface, giving the user the ability to select the desired communication interface.
The Secure 8 Click Board™ is suitable for various security applications such as Network/IoT node endpoint security, secure boot, small message encryption, key generation for software download, and more.
How Does The Secure 8 Click Board™ Work?
The Secure 8 Click Board™ as its foundation uses the ATECC608B, a cryptographic coprocessor with secure hardware-based key storage from Microchip. The ATECC608B integrates the ECDH (Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman) security protocol, an ultra-secure method to provide a key agreement for encryption/decryption along with ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) sign-verify authentication for the Internet of Things (IoT) market. It includes an EEPROM array that can store up to 16 keys, certificates, miscellaneous read/write, read-only or secret data, consumption logging, and security configurations. It also allows memory-section restrictions in several ways, with a locked configuration feature to prevent changes.
Each ATECC608B contains a unique 72-bit serial number stored in a standard serial EEPROM. Using the cryptographic protocols supported by the device, a host system can verify the signature of the serial number to prove that the serial number is authentic and not a copy. However, these can be easily copied with no way for the host to know if the serial number is authentic or a clone. Like all Microchip CryptoAuthentication products, the new ATECC608B employs ultra-secure hardware-based cryptographic key storage and cryptographic countermeasures that eliminate potential backdoors linked to software weaknesses.
This version of the Secure Click board™ carries two versions of the ATECC608B, thus supporting the standard I2C 2-Wire interface at speed up to 1Mbps (MAHDA) and the Single Wire (SWI) interface (MAHCZ), giving the user the ability to select the desired communication interface for various security applications. While using a Single-Wire interface (SWI), this Click board™ communicates with MCU using shorted UART (RX and TX) lines, which act as a single line with only one trace routed back to the ATECC608B (MAHCZ). Further, UART pins can be used only for SWI communication when this Click board™ is used on a system. When the Single-Wire interface is enabled, the remaining pin is available as a GPIO pin marked as GP and routed to the INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket as an authenticated output/tamper input.
The Secure 8 Click Board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, it is allowed for both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library that contains easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type | Encryption |
Applications | The Secure 8 Click Board™ be used for various security applications such as Network/IoT node endpoint security, secure boot, small message encryption, key generation for software download, and more |
On-board modules | ATECC608B - cryptographic coprocessor with secure hardware-based key storage from Microchip |
Key Features | Cryptographic co-processor with secure hardware-based key storage, hardware support for asymmetric sign, verify, key agreement, networking key management, secure boot support, two interface options, and more |
Interface | I2C,SWI |
Compatibility | mikroBUS |
Click board size | M (42.9 x 25.4 mm) |
Input Voltage | 3.3V or 5V |
PINOUT DIAGRAM
This table shows how the pinout of the Secure 8 Click Board™ corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).
Notes | Pin | Pin | Notes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NC | 1 | AN | PWM | 16 | NC | ||
NC | 2 | RST | INT | 15 | GP | General Purpse | |
NC | 3 | CS | RX | 14 | TX | SWI Line | |
NC | 4 | SCK | TX | 13 | RX | SWI Line | |
NC | 5 | MISO | SCL | 12 | SCL | I2C Clock | |
NC | 6 | MOSI | SDA | 11 | SDA | I2C Data | |
Power Supply | 3.3V | 7 | 3.3V | 5V | 10 | 5V | Power Supply |
Ground | GND | 8 | GND | GND | 9 | GND | Ground |
ONBOARD SETTINGS AND INDICATORS
Label | Name | Default | Description |
---|---|---|---|
LD1 | PWR | - | Power LED Indicator |
JP1 | VCC SEL | Left | Logic Level Voltage Selection 3V3/5V: Left position 3V3, Right position 5V |
SECURE 8 CLICK ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Description | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Supply Voltage | 3.3 | - | 5 | V |
Zones | - | - | 16 | - |
Key Size | - | - | 256 | - |
EEPROM Memory Size | - | - | 10.5 | Kb |
Operating Temperature Range | -40 | +25 | +85 | °C |
Software Support
MikroElektronika does not provide software support for this Click board™ in the form of libraries, functions, or example code at this moment. The software support is provided by the Microchip company, with Microchip CryptoAuthentication™ library.
CryptoAuthLib is a software support library for the ATSHA204A, ATSHA206A, ATECC108A, ATECC508A, ATECC608A and ATECC608B CryptoAuthentication™ devices written in C code. It is a portable, extensible, powerful, and easy-to-use library for working with the ATSHA and ATECC device families. You may access to the CryptoAuthentication™ library after signing Microchip online SLA agreement.
For Technical support questions, the customers can submit a support case to Microchip by following the procedure.
Software Support
MikroElektronika does not provide software support for this Click board™ in the form of libraries, functions, or example code at this moment. The software support is provided by the Microchip company, with Microchip CryptoAuthentication™ library.
CryptoAuthLib is a software support library for the ATSHA204A, ATSHA206A, ATECC108A, ATECC508A, ATECC608A and ATECC608B CryptoAuthentication™ devices written in C code. It is a portable, extensible, powerful, and easy-to-use library for working with the ATSHA and ATECC device families. You may access to the CryptoAuthentication™ library after signing Microchip online SLA agreement.
For Technical support questions, the customers can submit a support case to Microchip by following the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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