Security digital twin for RISC-V space chip
UK defence contractor BAE Systems is using a security digital twin of a RISC-V processor from SiFive for a radiation hardened chip for space applications.
Cycuity in the US has developed the digital twin technology for security assurance for third-party intellectual property (IP). One of the concerns about using third-party IP is that it can introduce potential system-level security vulnerabilities due to its high configurability and programmability. Verifying the highest levels of assurance for third-party IP components is important to safeguarding microelectronic systems.
The three-way collaboration developed a scalable framework based on Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE). Cycuity’s Radix tool creates a security digital twin of an IP block which can then be re-verified by a system-on-chip (SoC) integrator at the block and full chip levels to provide assurance of the third-party IP.
This was used through the process of integrating, configuring and generating verifiable security evidence of SiFive’s Intelligence X280 RISC-V processor within a BAE Systems’ radiation-hardened SoC.
“We have demonstrated how Cycuity is solving a key challenge in ensuring robust security across the design lifecycle and across organizational and company boundaries,” said Jason Oberg, CTO at Cycuity. “Working to build out a secure third-party IP ecosystem aligns with our commitment to develop resilient microelectronics for defense and commercial applications.”
“The demonstration of RISC-V processors as a robust and secure choice for SoC developers, underscores our commitment to innovation and security. By utilizing Radix to validate secure integration and configuration of IP, developers can be empowered to innovate faster while enhancing the usability and effectiveness of third-party IP,” said John Ronco, SiFive VP of Product.
“Today’s defence and commercial systems must meet the increasing need for traceable security assurances across the microelectronics ecosystem,” said Gayatri Perlin, Secure by Design Group Lead at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research, development, and production organization. “By focusing on design- and application-specific security requirements, we can test, implement, and deliver our products with the confidence that third-party IP remains secure, which is key for fulfilling Department of Defense standards.”
www.cycuity.com; www.sifive.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
