The mass adoption of modern conveniences in automobiles, such as infotainment and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), has greatly enhanced the experience of everyday travel. At the same time, the addition of these consumer amenities has added numerous entry points for hackers, who have repeatedly exploited them. This exposure can and has led to recalls, loss of revenue and tarnished brand reputations across the automotive industry. The question for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers is no longer if vehicle networks need security but how to implement this security practically and without a costly complete design overhaul.

The new CryptoAutomotive™ In-Vehicle Network (IVN) TrustAnchor/Border Security Device (TA/BSD) development kit from Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) enables OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to introduce security to networked vehicle systems, starting in areas of priority, with the highest level of protection and without disruption elsewhere. The only security-specific automotive tool in the industry, the CryptoAutomotive TA/BSD development kit emulates a secure node in an automotive network and provides system designers with an intuitive starting point for implementing security. Designed to be flexible, the tool accommodates each OEM’s implementation by allowing manufacturers to configure the node to conform to various specifications and industry standards. The tool demonstrates secure key storage, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) authentication, hardware-based crypto accelerators and other cryptographic elements. When used with a host microcontroller, it enables designers to implement functions such as secure boot and Controller Area Network (CAN) message authentication, including conversion of CAN 2.0 messages to CAN Flexible Data rate (CAN-FD) with appended Message Authentication Codes (MAC) when appropriate.

Microchip provides a comprehensive approach to automotive security. With the companion approach, the TA/BSD emulation kit enables OEMs to continue using their existing microcontrollers (MCUs) and, more importantly, existing MCU firmware certified to required safety standards by later adding the companion chip the kit emulates. These companion chips will come to the customer preprogrammed and include built-in security measures to provide true hardware-based key protection. This add-on approach can deliver significant cost and time-to-market advantages, compared to the alternative of redesigning the system with a high-end secure MCU. This can entail significant re-architecture of the MCU firmware to implement secure zones with hardware and software domains.

The tool can be used with any ECU, architecture, configuration or bus, providing the flexibility to implement security in existing systems without large-scale redesigns. The companion chip solution requires minimal MCU code updates, resulting in minimal to no impact to existing host MCU functional safety ratings. This approach also removes the requirement for in-house security expertise. The tool provides an online Graphical User Interface (GUI) program with pre-configured options to simplify and facilitate implementation.

“With great advances in AI, rapidly increasing levels of automation and autonomous vehicles on the horizon, securing automotive networks is a clear and urgent necessity the industry is now widely acknowledging,” said Nuri Dagdeviren, vice president of Microchip’s Secure Products Group. “With its flexible add-on approach, Microchip’s automotive development kit gives OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers the tools needed to start implementing security measures into existing vehicle networks immediately.”

Pricing and Availability

The CryptoAutomotive Security ICs TA/BSD development kit (DM320112) is available today for $250.00. To purchase the kit, go to Microchip’s full-service channel microchipDIRECT. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or visit the Microchip web site at www.microchip.com/cryptoautomotive.