Unique Key and Serial Number ID for Programmable Logic Solutions Opens Up Flexible Security Options for Embedded System Developers

• Supports ID, digital rights management and data security in embedded applications
• Patented technology provides 'bulletproof' tamper protection

- QuickLogic Europe announces the capability of programming unique keys and serial identification numbers into its low-power programmable logic devices. These user-customisable keys and numbers conform to a customer-supplied list, and can serve as the basis for implementing a variety of content protection standards and algorithms.

This new capability provides designers with the opportunity to incorporate secure, unique numeric values as long as 256 bits into the programmable fabric. Companies provide QuickLogic with their list of desired numeric values, and will receive programmed devices in return, each incorporating a unique numeric value from their list.

The value can serve as a serial number for product identification, as a private key for data encryption and content protection algorithms such as digital rights management (DRM), or any other purpose that requires a unique value in each device.

"As more copyrighted material is finding its way into mobile devices, protection of assets is fast becoming a critical requirement, to preserve both R&D investments and profitable revenue streams of content providers," says Owen Bateman of QuickLogic. "Most content protection standards require a unique numeric value stored in non-volatile technology somewhere in the system. By programming a unique key or serial number into programmable logic solutions, it's possible for designers to eliminate specialised non-volatile memories, reducing bill-of-materials costs and freeing up precious board space."

Through a proprietary method for implementing this capability, along with QuickLogic's patented ViaLink device programming technology, the possibility of hackers gaining access to the unique keys and numbers is virtually eliminated. The technology also precludes tampering with the unique, programmed information. No power source - from a battery or otherwise - is required to sustain the embedded key.

QuickLogic handles all manufacturing and logistical details required to program the user-customisable values into devices. This capability is available for solutions based on the company's PolarPro and Eclipse II field-programmable logic technologies, for less than 10 US cents in volume. These FPGA families consume very little power, and are ideal for use in portable, battery powered embedded systems.

About QuickLogic:
QuickLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: QUIK) invented and has pioneered the Embedded Standard Product (ESP) architecture, with the introduction of first products in 1998. ESPs are semiconductor devices that deliver the guaranteed performance, lower cost and lower risk of standard products, coupled with the flexibility and time-to-market benefits of programmable logic. QuickLogic's proprietary ViaLink metal-to-metal interconnect technology offers significant benefits - including very low power consumption at high performance levels - and is the foundation of both the ESP and core FPGA products. www.quicklogic.com