Ann Steffora Mutschler of Semiconductor Engineering recently noted that malicious hacking has existed since the dawn of connected electronics. However, says Mutschler, such hacks are now occurring with increasing sophistication in the automotive sector. “Even high-end vehicles suffer security flaws that are too costly or not worthwhile to fix,” she explained. “The result is that the automotive sector is scrambling to cover its bases and they’re starting with the parts that are highest priority.”
Securing connected vehicles
eSilicon, Northwest Logic and SK Hynix create high-bandwidth memory (HBM) hardware demonstration
SAN JOSE, Calif. — September 10, 2015 — eSilicon Corporation, Northwest Logic and SK Hynix today announced they have created a fully working HBM hardware demonstration. This demonstration uses an advanced FPGA containing Northwest Logic’s HBM Controller Core and FPGA-based HBM PHY and SK Hynix HBM devices. eSilicon packaged the FPGA and HBM devices on an organic interposer. This demonstration is further indication that HBM is ready to be used by the market to implement a wide variety of high-performance, bandwidth-intensive designs. It also demonstrates the ability of eSilicon, Northwest Logic and SK Hynix to support HBM-based designs.
HBM is a JEDEC standard that utilizes “2.5D” packaging. The HBM device consists of a stacked memory array. This array is connected to an ASIC via a silicon or organic interposer. First-generation HBM devices provide eight channels of 128-bit data running at one Gbit/s/pin for a total system throughput of 128 Gbytes/s. Second-generation HBM devices double the throughput. This is approximately 14 times the throughput available from a DDR4 DIMM running at 2,600 Mbits/pin. HBM has both power and cost advantages over competing technologies.
eSilicon Corporation is a leading independent semiconductor design and manufacturing solutions provider, including full service ASIC support for front- and back-end design, custom IP, packaging, test and volume manufacturing. This particular demonstration used a fine-pitch organic interposer. eSilicon also supports packaging of HBM devices with a silicon interposer. “HBM and system-in-package technology hold great promise to break the power and performance bottlenecks designers are currently facing with regard to memory subsystems,” said Bill Isaacson, senior director, product marketing at eSilicon. “This joint effort with Northwest Logic and SK Hynix validates that HBM is ready to enter mainstream use.”
Northwest Logic’s HBM Controller Core supports both Gen 2 (2 Gbit/s/pin) and Gen 1 (1 Gbit/s/pin). The core supports a range of user interfaces and operational modes include Gen 2 pseudo-channel support. As part of this demonstration, Northwest Logic created a complete FPGA design including the HBM Controller Core and FPGA PHY and memory test support. This design provided error-free writes and reads to the HBM device.
“We are excited to collaborate with eSilicon and SK Hynix to show a fully working HBM demonstration,” commented Brian Daellenbach, president of Northwest Logic, Inc. “We are seeing increasing interest in HBM applications. This demonstration shows that eSilicon, Northwest Logic and SK Hynix have the capabilities needed to enable a customer to implement an HBM ASIC.”
“HBM utilizes the latest advancement in DRAM packaging and through-silicon via technologies to enable system designers to extract the maximum value in terms of performance and power efficiency from the DRAM memory subsystem. SK Hynix is in the forefront of bringing the HBM device to the industry and anticipates adoption in multiple major market segments,” said Kevin Tran, senior manager of technical marketing at SK Hynix.
About eSilicon
eSilicon guides customers through a fast, accurate, transparent, low-risk ASIC journey, from concept to volume production. Explore your options online with eSilicon STAR tools, engage with eSilicon experts, and take advantage of eSilicon semiconductor design, custom IP and IC manufacturing solutions through a flexible engagement model. eSilicon serves a wide variety of markets including the communications, computer, consumer, industrial products and medical segments. Get the data, decision-making power and technology you need for first-time-right results. www.esilicon.com
The right chip. Right now™
About Northwest Logic
Northwest Logic, founded in 1995 and located in Beaverton, Oregon, provides high-performance, silicon-proven, easy-to-use IP cores including high-performance PCI Express solution (PCI Express 3.0, 2.1 and 1.1 cores and drivers), Memory Interface Solution (DDR4/3/2, LPDDR4/3/2 SDRAM; HBM, MRAM, RLDRAM 3/II), and MIPI Solution (CSI-2, DSI). These solutions support a full range of platforms including ASICs, Structured ASICs and FPGAs. For additional information, visit www.nwlogic.com.
About SK Hynix Inc.
SK Hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”), Flash memory chips (“NAND Flash”) and CMOS Image Sensors (“CIS”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK Hynix is available at www.skhynix.com.
Contacts:
[ezcol_1third]Sally SlemonseSilicon [email protected][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third]Vinitha SeevaratnamNorthwest Logic503-533-5800 x308www.nwlogic.com[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end]Kevin TranSK Hynix408-232-8386www.skhynix.com[/ezcol_1third_end]
Rambus demos hardware-based security for 4K UHD TVs @ IBC 2015
MStar Semiconductor has kicked off production of a secure chipset for connected TVs that integrates the Rambus Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core with Intertrust’s ExpressPlay™ cloud service for Digital Rights Management (DRM). Dubbed MStar G6F, the new chipset is designed to meet consumer demand for easy access to 4K UHD programs – while also providing security for content owners.
MStar, Intertrust and Rambus to Showcase an Integrated, End-to-end Security Solution for 4K UHD TVs at IBC 2015
Joint solution delivers industry leading hardware-based security for connected TVs
AMSTERDAM and SUNNYVALE, Calif. —September 9, 2015 — MStar Semiconductor, Inc., a leading provider of display and digital home solutions, today announced it has started production of a secure chipset for connected TVs that integrates the Rambus Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core with Intertrust’s ExpressPlay™ cloud service for Digital Rights Management (DRM). The new chipset – the MStar G6F – is designed to meet consumer demand for easy access to 4K UHD programs while also providing unparalleled security for content owners.
The G6F is designed to integrate easily into 4K smart TVs and supports a full function HEVC decoder, multi-region demodulator, and motion judder cancellation with MStar’s proprietary MACE –Pro3UC /MFC technology.
“By integrating the CryptoFirewall core into MStar’s security hardware, the G6F chip meets MovieLabs’ Hardware Root of Trust guidelines,” said Wayne Tsai, marketing director of MStar. “In addition, the seamless integration with ExpressPlay accelerates our time-to-market. We are very proud that MStar is contributing to the 4K UHD content delivery ecosystem.”
The CryptoFirewall core provides a secure, hardware-based foundation that delivers unprecedented security to connected TVs. This allows content distributors, including over-the-top (OTT) operators, to deliver 4K UHD premium programming, while satisfying the security requirements of studios and other content owners.
“By working with our partners Intertrust and MStar, content distributors can now deploy an end-to-end security solution for TVs,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “The CryptoFirewall security core helps realize the full potential of OTT content, giving consumers the ability to get access to early release and premium 4K UHD programming directly on their TVs.”
In addition to hardware protection, the MStar connected TV chipset includes ExpressPlay, an end-to-end security service that provides a ready-to-go Marlin DRM system to manage content protection. Marlin DRM is a simple, open and elegant DRM that supports many video formats including MPEG-DASH HLS, and MP4.
“By collaborating with MStar and Cryptography Research, we have been able to deliver a solution that provides a hardware root-of-trust on an SoC platform to deliver post-activation capability for all devices in the field,” said David Maher, Executive VP and CTO, Intertrust Technologies. “By making the DRM system carry unique hardware-protected, super-encrypted content keys, we can ensure that content keys are only accessible within the CryptoFirewall core and security hardware of the chip.”
Product Availability
The production of 4K UHD TVs, including the MStar G6F, is expected to start in Q4 2015.
Follow Rambus
Company website: rambus.com
Rambus blog: rambusblog.com
Twitter: @rambusinc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rambus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RambusInc
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus creates cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting. Our chips, customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, training and innovations improve the competitive advantage of our customers. We collaborate with the industry, partnering with leading ASIC and SoC designers, foundries, IP developers, EDA companies and validation labs. Our products are integrated into tens of billions of devices and systems, powering and securing diverse applications, including Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, consumer and media platforms. At Rambus, we are makers of better. For more information, visit rambus.com.
About MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
MStar Semiconductor, Inc. is a world-class leader in Application Specific ICs with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications. Since the inception in 2002, MStar has established a strong brand and leadership position in LCD controller, analog and digital TV, and set-top box by fully leveraging its core expertise of cutting-edge design capabilities, continuous innovation and premier customer-focused services. Headquartered in Taiwan, MStar has a comprehensive global footprint of international R&D and customer support centers to provide a full range of total solutions for various consumer electronic applications. For more information, please visit mstarsemi.com.
About Intertrust Technologies
Intertrust invents, develops, and delivers technologies for trusted computing among leading global corporations from mobile and CE manufacturers and service providers, to enterprise software platform companies. Intertrust and its subsidiaries are also developing new trust services for vertical markets related to consumer privacy, Internet processing of DNA data, and smart grids. Intertrust also actively creates and invests in ventures that extend its market vision. Current and former portfolio companies include Personagraph, Kabuto, whiteCryption, SyncTV, Nest Labs, Kiora, and Planet OS.
Founded in 1990 on a revolutionary vision to bring trust to operating systems and open networks, Intertrust is based in Silicon Valley, with regional offices in London and Beijing. The Company has a legacy of invention, and its fundamental contributions in the areas of computer security and digital trust are globally recognized. Intertrust holds hundreds of patents that are key to Internet security, trust, and privacy management components of operating systems, trusted mobile code and networked operating environments, web services, and cloud computing. Additional information is available at intertrust.com. Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Building bridges with DRAM vendors
Analysts at IHS Electronics say Rambus’ change in strategy from intellectual property (IP) licensing house to chipmaker has been “well received” by its customers. “Rambus has announced recently that it would begin developing server memory chipsets for the enterprise and data center server markets in a planned series of devices that are DDR4 JEDEC-compliant,” IHS Electronics stated in a recent Electronics360 news release. “These chipsets will serve to accelerate data-intensive applications such as real-time analytics, virtualization and in-memory computing.”
Powering wearables with TENGs and energy harvesting
The increased popularity of wearable electronic devices has given rise to a number of techniques for extending relatively limited battery life. “Energy harvesting is one such approach, converting ambient energy into electric energy utilizing such devices as onboard solar cells and piezoelectric generators,” reported EDN’s Paul Pickering. “TENGs are another.”
