Maxim MAX32520 ChipDNA secure IoT microcontroller

As IoT applications continue to proliferate, large numbers of devices are being deployed in uncontrolled and hostile areas that make them more vulnerable to physical attacks. Designers thus want enhanced system defences for their mission-critical applications.

Now, Maxim Integrated Products has released the MAX32520 ChipDNA secure Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller — a secure microcontroller with built-in physically unclonable function (PUF) technology for financial- and government-grade security. PUF technology allows for multiple layers of protection to provide the advanced key-protection technology for use in IoT, healthcare, industrial and computing systems.

The product offers multiple layers of protection through its PUF technology for safeguarding secrets used in cryptographic operations. It uses a tamper-proof PUF key for flash encryption, secure boot for root-of-trust and serial flash emulation. Additionally, the physical security inherent in the PUF key eliminates the need for a battery to actively destroy secret-key materials when under attack. Until now, the sensitive applications have required a battery to provide this high level of secret-key protection.

Built on an advanced process node, the secure microcontroller provides a 120 MHz ARM Cortex M4 processor and delivers up to 2 MB of secure flash memory, enabling advanced applications to run in a secure environment. It eliminates several components like a battery, a tamper monitor IC and system management micros that are often found in security-sensitive applications.