Abstract: A system for secure provision of key credential information is provided. The system comprises secure logic circuitry for being disposed in a host computer. The secure logic circuitry detects a message received from a remote computer connected to the host computer and indicative of a request for provision of the key credential information; generates a message for prompting a user for provision of the key credential information; receives the key credential information; and provides the key credential information to the remote computer absent processing using circuitry of the host computer. The system further comprises a secure user interface connected to the secure logic circuitry for receiving the key credential information from the user and providing the same to the secure logic circuitry.

Abstract: A high reliability radiation shielding integrated circuit apparatus comprising a plurality of package layers; a radiation shielding lid or base coupled to the plurality of package layers; wherein the circuit die are shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than the total dose of tolerance of the circuit die. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit apparatus for use in high reliability applications is disclosed. The integrated circuit apparatus is designed to be highly reliable and protect integrated circuit die from failing or becoming unreliable due to radiation, mechanical forces, thermal exposure, or chemical contaminates.

Abstract: Power supply voltage of a PCI or a similar communication bus interface is separated from one or more other power supply voltages on a backplane, on boards insertable into the backplane, and on the bus interface components of the boards. The power supply of the bus interface (VIO) is provided to cold spare boards inserted into the backplane, while the other voltages are not provided to the cold spare boards. Availability of the VIO on the cold spare boards prevents the VIO clamping diodes on the PCI I/O lines from grounding the PCI bus. Cold spare capability is thus provided to systems with PCI and similar communication buses.