Crossbar’s ReRAM technology can be utilized as a physical unclonable function (PUF) for generating cryptographic keys in secure computing applications.
Resistive Random Access Memories (RAMs) or ReRAMs are a perfect solution for cost-sensitive applications, such as wearables and IoT devices. They are a good fit for some low-end MCUs and consumer products with a lower memory density requirement. They offer faster, bit-alterable, erase-free operation and have a significantly lower read latency and faster write performance.
ReRAMs work on the principle called “memristor”. An electric current is applied across a material, which changes the resistance of that material. The resistance state can then be measured. The working relies on the principle of hysteresis.
ReRAMs have been utilized as non-volatile semiconductor memory. But Crossbar’s ReRAM technology is introduced for usage in hardware security applications utilizing its ReRAM based cryptographic physical unclonable function (PUF) keys, enabling a more secure and cost-effective class of devices and systems.
“We believe the state-of-the-art use of our unique technology as PUF cryptographic keys will provide higher security for our customers’ products,” says CEO Mark Davis.
The ReRAMs are integrating cryptographic keys to facilitate secure communications and control. Earlier, the most common approach for integrating PUF keys leverages SRAM.
“The ReRAM keys are unique to each individual semiconductor integrated circuit (IC), leveraging the inherent randomness characteristics of the ReRAM technology. These keys will be used for identification, encryption/decryption and authentication.”
For more information visit https://www.crossbar-inc.com/technology/reram-overview/.
