Plug-and-Play Crypto Chip for Host-Side Security

Nuremberg, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Atmel's CryptoCompanion IC Eliminates the Need for Designers to
Understand Complex Cryptographic Protocols and Algorithms

Embedded World -- Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), today
announced its CryptoCompanion(TM) chip providing plug-and-play
host-side cryptographic security for embedded systems that are prone
to counterfeiting, firmware theft and the violation of licensing
agreements. This plug-and-play convenience means that designers do
not have to design or test the cryptographic algorithms. Systems
likely to fall victim to counterfeiting schemes include printers and
printer cartridges, appliances with smart batteries, set top boxes,
video game consoles, video game cartridges, PDAs, GPS, and any system
with proprietary algorithms or secrets. According to the
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition the problem of product
counterfeiting has grown over 10,000% in the last two decades.(1)

Until now, using very complex microprocessors, costing as much as
US$5 each, was a common implementation to achieve true security for
confidential host algorithms and keys. Their complexity including the
requirement of special firmware or operating systems, extensive
cryptographic experience on the part of the engineer and their high
cost has hindered their adoption.

Atmel's CryptoCompanion chip, when used with Atmel's
CryptoMemory(R) and CryptoRF(R) devices provides a highly secure,
hardware-based total solution for less than half the cost of complex
microprocessors. Atmel's AT88SC016 CryptoCompanion chip is a
completely engineered, single-chip host solution that implements host
algorithms and securely stores and manages the host secrets required
for secure communications. It integrates hardware cryptographic
engines, a cryptographic quality hardware random number generator,
and securely manages up to 16 host keys. The CryptoCompanion executes
all host-side operations including mutual authentication, data
encryption, firmware integrity verification, and generation of
Message Authentication Codes (MAC) for secure communication. Using
the CryptoCompanion chip, system developers do not need any knowledge
of how to implement cryptographic algorithms in order to develop
complete secure applications using CryptoMemory or CryptoRF.

This chip can also be used to create and manage up to 16
different memory sectors on Crypto devices, each of which can have
different levels of read/write access with individual encryption and
authentication keys and passwords. CryptoMemory and CryptoRF have
encryption keys and algorithms that are completely inaccessible and,
therefore, cannot be stolen or copied.

CryptoMemory devices are the world's only EEPROMs with a 64-bit
embedded hardware cryptographic engine, four sets of non-readable
64-bit authentication keys, and four sets of non-readable 64-bit
session encryption keys. CryptoMemory's 64-bit crypto engine provides
a strength-of-function that is much greater than the commonly used
48-bit key length and even better than the 56-bit key in the widely
used DES algorithm. CryptoMemory features dual authentication
capability, up to 256 Kbits of usable memory, each with up to 16
individually configurable sectors. It supports a 2-Wire and an IS0
7816-3 in T=0 mode communications interfaces. Atmel's 13.56 MHz
CryptoRF devices are secure RFID devices that embed the same
cryptographic capability and features as CryptoMemory in hardware,
and comes with up to 64 Kbits of usable memory.

Pricing and Packaging. Atmel's AT88SC016 CryptoCompanion chip is
available now in standard 8-pin SOIC packages and supports a 2-wire
interface. It is priced at 50 cents in volumes of 25,000 units.
CryptoMemory and CryptoRF devices are in volume production in a
variety of configurations and memory densities, and are priced from
30 cents and 75 cents, respectively, in quantities of 25,000 units.

(1) The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, Media Information,
web report URL: http://www.iacc.org/media/index.php.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, CryptoMemory(R) and CryptoRF(R) and others
are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation.
CryptoCompanion(TM) is a trademark of Atmel Corporation. Other terms
and product names may be the trademarks of others.

Information

Atmel's product information may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/products/SecureMem/ or
http://www.atmel.com/products/SecureRF/.

Press Contacts
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharnisch@cso.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Web site: http://www.atmel.com
http://www.iacc.org/media/index.php

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
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Contact:
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager, +1-719-540-1723,
sharnisch@cso.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations,
+1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation