Microchip releases Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS) to accelerate embedded security deployment and open ecosystem to third parties

TPDS is suitable for rapidly increasing various security use cases and can complete the prototype design of a new project within a few minutes.

In 2019, Microchip Technology Inc. released the Trust Platform for the CryptoAuthenTIcaTIon™ series. This is the industry’s first hardware-based secure component pre-configuration solution designed to help various Large-scale enterprises simply implement safety certification. Microchip today announced the launch of the latest enhanced version of the Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS) to further enrich the product lineup. TPDS is a software platform dedicated to devising configuration and joining Microchip's embedded security pre-configuration service.

TPDS version 2 (v2) software enables Microchip partners to add use cases to the rich security solution onboarding ecosystem, further expanding the already wide range of options for developers to deploy best-in-class security. TPDS Version 2 now also supports other security solutions, such as TA100, the first encryption accessory device for the automotive market.

Simplify development

An experienced firmware engineer may take several months to determine an application's threat model and develop a security use case that includes all necessary measures such as security certification, secure boot, and IP protection. The two main challenges involved are configuring the security boundary of the device and pre-configured keys, including private keys and symmetric keys, and other forms of key data.

TPDS software simplifies the development process by providing pre-defined use cases to address the most common market requirements. It can be used with two of the three trusted platform processes-Trust&GO and TrustFLEX. These solutions enable new security projects to be prototyped through TPDS v2 within a few minutes, while providing options based on the customer's deployment scale, use case requirements, and the degree of customization required:

·Trust&GO——The equipment is a pre-defined and pre-configured spot, used for secure cloud certification based on TLS and LoRaWAN network, the minimum orderable quantity (MOQ) is only 10 units.

·TrustFLEX——Customers can use the pre-configured equipment of this scheme through the default general certificate or special certificate (custom PKI) and support a wider range of predefined use cases than the Trust&GO scheme.

To meet the most demanding use cases, Microchip's TrustCUSTOM series allows customers the freedom to fully define the security certification configuration and fully customize the security key storage.

With a fully integrated onboarding process, TPDS v2 software allows customers to choose a security solution, verify use cases, make prototypes, and then start the security pre-configuration process, all in just a few simple steps.

Nuri Dagdeviren, vice president of Microchip's Security Products Business Unit, said: "Our TPDS v2 software enables developers to easily comply with existing standards and upcoming embedded system security regulations by incorporating security best practices into an intuitive and streamlined process. We will continue to help customers accelerate product launches and win long-term business through reliable hardware and security solutions. TPDS will also support onboarding and pre-configuration services of Microchip's security solutions beyond secure components."

Third-party integration

One of the biggest advantages of TPDS v2 is that it enables third-party partners to add self-use cases, enriching customers' choices of secure element network access and security functions. One of the Microchip’s partners, EBV Elektronik (Avnet Group), enables TPDS v2 users to configure through ATECC608B TrustFlex and use the EBV-IoT "Security Shield" evaluation kit to quickly and securely connect to the Avnet IoTConnect cloud. For more information, please click here.

Antonio Fernandez, vice president of technology development at EBV Elektronik, said: "We have a close working relationship with Microchip and are very pleased to be part of the Trusted Platform Design Suite v2 program, enabling all customers to obtain scalable security on chips and in the cloud. Adopting best practices is an important step to achieve our common goal of providing the best security platform for all customers. We believe that the enhanced functions of TPDS provide the simplest and most economical way to continue to be at the forefront of the industry and help customers deploy first-class s solution."

How TPDS v2 software works

Trusted Platform Design Suite V2 enables users to:

·Through training videos and interactive application notes suitable for various use cases, secure network access;

·Develop application programs according to selected use cases, finally determine the configuration of the security solution, and perform secret key exchange;

·Purchase verification samples and start production.

development tools

The Trusted Platform Design Suite supports Windows® and macOS® environments. TA100 Configurator is only applicable to the Windows platform.

Availability and pricing

Microchip's Open Source Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS) can be downloaded for free on the Microchip website for the Trust&GO and TrustFLEX processes. The website also provides training videos, interactive application notes, C code, and other project support. The TrustCUSTOM software extension for TPDS is available under the condition of signing the NDA and can be purchased through the Microchip direct sales website at a unit price of US$20.