XILINX Virtex-5 based Information Security Solution for computer systems

Executive Summary

Our customer is a privately-held Security Solutions Company.

The complete product is a security solution where the Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA containing preparatory 32-bit processor core responds to software requests for data processing. The hardware has FPGA, SDRAM and a couple of flash memories that fits in to PC’s PCIe slot. All the data transfer happens through the PCIe x1 link. This FPGA based product is a hardware-assisted end-point protection solution that yields comprehensive software, malware and data/information protection on a computer system.

The customer was looking for a strategic outsourcing partner capable of  providing a complete spectrum of services – RTL Design, Verification, FPGA Implementation, Board bring-up and debugging for the development of an FPGA based security solution.

eInfochips was partnered for the development of a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA based Security Solution and, over a course of time, took complete ownership of the product development life cycle. eInfochips successfully delivered the FPGA design after extensive debugging and STA. 

The Customer

Our customer builds on its security microprocessor and unique tools for hardware-assisted security services with groundbreaking security guarantees. These hardware-assisted services include software protection & anti-tamper, and memory forensics & cyber-security. The technology can be applied in defense and commercial applications.

The Challenge

  • Scope of testing extended to the entire Windows OS environment with limited debugging tools 
  • Meeting PCIe completion response time of 50ms to any memory read request to the device,  considering slow execution of instruction, processing of request and creating response TLP

The Solution

eInfochips' ASIC team performed the following ASIC Design Services:

  • RTL coding, Verification, Board Bring-up and Hardware debugging for PCIe, OTP, DDR SDRAM, and SPI-FLASH interface
  • Synthesis, Place & Route and Timing closure at top level 

Technology

  • Industry: Security
  • Technology: PCIe, OTP Memory, SPI, DDR SDRAM
  • Device: XILINX Virtex-5 LX110t (78% Usage)
  • Frequency: 50 MHz
  • Languages: Verilog
  • Tools: Axion, XILINX ISE, XILINX ChipScope Pro

The Benefit

  • Turnkey solution - Design to Board Bring-up
  • The design was compliant to the area and speed constraints