Atmel Rhino+ USB Demonstration/Evaluation Kit for SHA-256 Cryptographic Authentication Chip

San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

- US$19.99 kit allows developers and potential customers to
evaluate the capabilities of CryptoAuthentication for preventing
counterfeiting of medical and electronic consumables, maintain
authenticity of end-product firmware, and protect sensitive
transmitted data.

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today its
AT88SA-ADK1 Rhino+ (http://www.atmel.com/products/cryptoauthenticatio
n/rhino.asp?family_id=699) AVR(R) -based development kit for its
AT88SA102S CryptoAuthentication(TM) IC. Atmel's AT88SA102S device is
the industry's most secure authentication IC, with an embedded
SHA-256 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-256) engine and 256-bit
cryptographic key that make it virtually impossible to crack using
brute force methods. The nearest competing authentication IC has a
key size of only 128 bits. Priced at less than US$1, the AT88SA102S
CryptoAuthentication IC is more secure and costs 40% to 60% less than
competing solutions.

The Rhino+ kit is a small USB PCB with an on-board AT88SA102S
CryptoAuthentication IC that uses a SHA-256 algorithm. An AVR
microcontroller (http://www.atmel.com/products/avr32/default.asp) on
the board is preloaded with embedded software to implement the
required single wire communication protocol. Demonstration and
application development software may be downloaded from
www.atmel.com/Rhino.

Designers simply plug the Rhino+ key into a USB slot on their PC
and download the software to evaluate the cryptographic capabilities
of the device. The AT88SA102S CryptoAuthentication IC may be used to
protect batteries, ink cartridges, test strips, blood bags, breathing
tubes, and other electronic and medical consumables from cloning or
counterfeiting. They can also be used to securely transmit data, such
as satellite radio broadcasts or medical records, protect
end-products from malicious firmware updates and validate software or
media modules. The Rhino+ kit may also be used as is for end-product
deployment in PC-based applications, such as personnel identification
or data/software authentication.

Authentication. The SHA-256 algorithm in the CryptoAuthentication
device authenticates by using a "challenge/response" operation
between the microcontroller or host device and client. The host could
be a portable power tool, printer, medical test equipment, or even a
satellite radio transmitter. The corresponding client could be the
battery used in the power tool, an ink cartridge, a medical
consumable, or a satellite radio.

Session Key Exchange. In the case of protecting data transfer,
such as a broadcast to a satellite radio, the transmitting system
sends a random number to a SHA-256 algorithm along with the 256-bit
key value stored in the AT88SA102S on the authorized receiving nodes.
The response of the SHA-256 algorithm is then used as the encryption
key to encrypt the transmission. The encrypted message is then
transmitted along with the random number used as a challenge. On the
receiving side the random challenge is fed into the onboard
AT88SA102S and the response is used to decrypt the message. Only an
authentic client-radio containing an AT88SA102S with the correct
secret will be able to properly decrypt the transmission.

Ultra-low Power Consumption. Authentication ICs spend a small
percentage of their time active, so sleep mode power consumption is
the most important power consumption metric. With sleep mode power
consumption of less than 100 nanoamps (nA), Atmel's AT88SA102S
CryptoAuthentication ICs should have virtually no impact on system
battery life. Supply voltage for the AT88SA102S is 2.5V to 5.5V.

Availability and Pricing. The AT88SA-DK1 Rhino+
CryptoAuthentication development kit is available now through
distribution for US$19.99.

Atmel's AT88SA102S CryptoAuthentication IC is available now in a
SOT23 package and is priced at US$0.66 in quantities of 100.
Additional AT88SA family members will be introduced during 2009.

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) 2009 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), Atmel
logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You Are(R), and others, are
registered trademarks, CryptoAuthentication(TM) and others are
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Product information on Atmel's AT88SA-DK1 Rhino+
CryptoAuthentication development kit may be retrieved at:
www.atmel.com/Rhino

Press Contacts:
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications
Tel: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharon.harnisch@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: Helen.perlegos@atmel.com

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