Method for managing an update of a microcode within a processing unit

    公开(公告)号:US10705838B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-07-07

    申请号:US15607615

    申请日:2017-05-29

    Inventor: Vincent Onde

    Abstract: Microcode is stored in a program memory and intended to be executed by a central processing unit of a processing unit. The processing unit may include a memory controller associated with each program memory and a hardware peripheral. The method includes, in response to a request to update the microcode, a transmission, to each hardware peripheral, of a global authorization request signal obtained from an elementary authorization request signal generated by each corresponding memory controller, a transmission of a global authorization signal obtained from an elementary authorization signal generated by each hardware peripheral in response to the global authorization request signal and after satisfying a predetermined elementary condition, and an updating of each microcode by the corresponding memory controller only after the global authorization signal is received.

    Production of semiconductor regions in an electronic chip

    公开(公告)号:US10672644B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-06-02

    申请号:US15992481

    申请日:2018-05-30

    Inventor: Franck Julien

    Abstract: A method can be used for fabricating first and second semiconductor regions separated by isolating trenches. A semiconductor substrate is covered with a first silicon nitride layer. The first region is covered with a protection layer that can be etched selectively with respect to the silicon nitride. The structure is covered with a second silicon nitride layer. The trenches are etched through the second and first silicon nitride layers and filled with a filling silicon oxide to a level situated above the protection layer. The second silicon nitride layer and the part of the first silicon nitride layer situated on the second region are selectively removed and the protection layer is removed. The filling oxide is selectively etched by wet etching, thus resulting in pits on the surface of the filling oxide around the second region.

    Pulse counting circuit
    137.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10659020B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-05-19

    申请号:US16271077

    申请日:2019-02-08

    Abstract: A circuit includes a random oscillation number generator (RONG) configured to generate first and second pulse signals at first and second RONG outputs. A first counter is coupled to the first RONG output and generates a first count at a first counter output. A second counter is coupled to the second RONG output and generates a second count at a second counter output. A selection circuit is coupled to the first and second counter outputs and to the first and second RONG outputs. A first pulse shaper is connected between the first RONG output and the first counter, and a second pulse shaper is connected between the second RONG output and the second counter.

    Electronic circuit with device for monitoring a power supply

    公开(公告)号:US10560089B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-11

    申请号:US16161531

    申请日:2018-10-16

    Abstract: A power supply voltage is monitored by a monitoring circuit including a band gap voltage generator core including a first node and a second node. A control circuit connected to the first and second nodes is configured to deliver a control signal on a first output node having a first state when an increasing power supply voltage is below a first threshold and having a second state when increasing power supply voltage exceeds the first threshold. The first threshold is at least equal to the band gap voltage. An equalization circuit also connected to the first and second nodes with feedback to the band gap voltage generator core generates the bandgap voltage at a second output node. The control signal operates to control actuation of the equalization circuit.

    METHOD FOR PROTECTING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MODULE AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE

    公开(公告)号:US20200035671A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-01-30

    申请号:US16518436

    申请日:2019-07-22

    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a circuit module storing sensitive data. An electrically conductive body at a floating potential is located in the integrated circuit and holds an initial amount of electric charge. In response to an attack attempting to access the sensitive data, electric charge is collected on the electrically conductive body. A protection circuit is configured to ground an output of the circuit module, and thus preclude access to the sensitive data, in response to collected amount of electric charge on the electrically conductive body differing from the initial amount and exceeding a threshold.

Patent Agency Ranking