Abstract: Power extracted from an antenna inductively coupled to an alternating magnetic field is regulated to provide voltage supplies. In some implementations, a first voltage supply (e.g., 3.8 volts) provides regulated voltage to analog circuits and a second, lower, voltage supply (e.g., 1.4 volts) provides regulated voltage to digital circuits. The first voltage supply is regulated, using shunt regulation, by a first voltage regulator circuit. The second voltage supply is regulated, using a series regulation, by a second voltage regulator circuit. The second voltage regulator circuit is supplied by the shunted current from the first voltage regulator. Excess shunt current provided by the first regulator circuit can be bypassed (e.g., bypassed to ground). The second voltage regulator circuit can use a timer circuit to control the amount of charge transferred to a second voltage supply rail. The timer circuit can compensate for different currents from the first voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a multiplication function configured to execute a multiplication operation of two binary words x and y including a plurality of basic multiplication steps of components xi of word x by components yj of word y is described. The multiplication function of the integrated circuit is configured to execute two successive multiplications by modifying, in a random or pseudo-random manner, an order in which the basic multiplication steps of components xi by components yj are executed.

Abstract: Software can be downloaded securely using a multi-encryption method, where the decryption is completed when the software is executed. In one aspect, a multi-encrypted data item is received. One or more of the encryptions on the multi-encrypted data item is decrypted, yielding a partially decrypted data item. The partially decrypted data item is stored in a reserved portion of a storage medium. The partially decrypted data item is fetched from the storage medium and decrypted to yield the data item. The decryption can be performed using one or more circuits that implement multiple decryption processes, including multiple algorithm-key combinations.

Abstract: Power extracted from an antenna inductively coupled to an alternating magnetic field is regulated to provide voltage supplies. In some implementations, a first voltage supply (e.g., 3.8 volts) provides regulated voltage to analog circuits and a second, lower, voltage supply (e.g., 1.4 volts) provides regulated voltage to digital circuits. The first voltage supply is regulated, using shunt regulation, by a first voltage regulator circuit. The second voltage supply is regulated, using a series regulation, by a second voltage regulator circuit. The second voltage regulator circuit is supplied by the shunted current from the first voltage regulator. Excess shunt current provided by the first regulator circuit can be bypassed (e.g., bypassed to ground). The second voltage regulator circuit can use a timer circuit to control the amount of charge transferred to a second voltage supply rail. The timer circuit can compensate for different currents from the first voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: A countermeasure method in an electronic component implementing an asymmetric private key encryption algorithm includes generating a protection parameter, calculating, using a primitive, an intermediate data from the protection parameter, dividing the binary representation of the private key into several binary blocks, transforming each binary block using the protection parameter and, for each transformed binary block, performing an intermediate calculation using the primitive, and calculating an output data by combining the intermediate data with the intermediate calculations.

Abstract: A process for testing an integrated circuit includes collecting a set of points of a physical property while the integrated circuit is executing a multiplication, dividing the set of points into a plurality subsets of lateral points, calculating an estimation of the value of the physical property for each subset, and applying to the subset of lateral points a step of horizontal transversal statistical processing by using the estimations of the value of the physical property, to verify a hypothesis about the variables manipulated by the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a multiplication function configured to execute a multiplication operation of two binary words x and y including a plurality of basic multiplication steps of components xi of word x by components yj of word y is described. The multiplication function of the integrated circuit is configured to execute two successive multiplications by modifying, in a random or pseudo-random manner, an order in which the basic multiplication steps of components xi by components yj are executed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for large number multiplication. A multiplication circuit is provided to compute the product of two operands (A and B), at least one of which is wider than a width associated with the multiplication circuit. Each of the operands includes contiguous ordered word-wide operand segments (Aj and Bi) characterized by specific weights j (integer from 0 to k) and i (integer from 0 to m). The multiplication circuit executes a matrix of word-wide operand segment pair multiplication operations. Multiplication operations are performed on a pair of rows at one time. For each pair of rows, a pair of corresponding Bi word-wide operand segments are read from a memory and word-wide operand segment pair multiplication operations (Aj*Bi) are iteratively performed for each of k+2 columns. For each column a maximum of two additional memory read operations and one memory write operation is required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conducting a transaction between an NFC device and a contactless integrated circuit of the passive reader type. The method includes providing, in the contactless integrated circuit, at least one reader application emulation program and, by an intermediary unit of the NFC device, establishing a communication with the contactless integrated circuit, receiving from the contactless integrated circuit reader application commands and transferring the commands to the first host processor, and receiving card application responses supplied by the first host processor and transferring the responses to the contactless integrated circuit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and program products for a first central processing unit (CPU) configured to perform tasks that do not require manipulation of sensitive information and a second CPU that is configured to perform tasks that manipulate the sensitive information on behalf of the first CPU. The first CPU and the second CPU can communicate through a secure interface. The first CPU cannot access the sensitive information within the second CPU.

Abstract: A countermeasure method in an electronic component implementing an asymmetric private key encryption algorithm includes generating a first output data, using a primitive, and a protection parameter, transforming, using the protection parameter, at least one element of a set consisting of the private key and an intermediate parameter obtained from the first output data, to respectively supply first and second operands, and generating, from an operation involving the first and second operands, a second output data.

Abstract: A method of access control to a communication interface of an integrated circuit, includes intercepting an event transmitted between a communication interface and an application performed by the integrated circuit, and transmitting the intercepted event if a specific parameter of the application indicates that the application is authorized to use the communication interface.

Abstract: A method for routing data in a chipset comprising at least two host processors and one RFID-type contactless data send/receive interface configurable according to several operating modes and according to several contactless communication protocols includes routing, to at least one of the host processors, data received by the contactless data send/receive interface via a contactless data transmission channel. The method further includes determining a destination point of the data in a host processor using as criteria to determine the destination point the operating mode and the contactless communication protocol used by the contactless data send/receive interface to create the contactless data transmission channel through which the data are received.

Abstract: A method for routing data in a chipset comprising at least one host processor and an RFID-type contactless data send/receive interface includes, in response to a command for opening a data path sent by a source point located in the host processor and designating a destination point located in the contactless data send/receive interface, defining a data path linking the source point to the destination point by allocating to the data path a routing channel number and by saving in a routing table the routing channel number and routing parameters comprising at least one identifier of the source point and one identifier of the destination point, and sending to the destination point data supplied by the source point by encapsulating the data in a frame having a header field comprising the routing channel number.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a communication interface circuit, a cryptographic algorithm, a countermeasure configured to protect the cryptographic algorithm against side-channel attacks, and a mask generator configured to provide the countermeasure with mask values. The integrated circuit is configured to execute a specific command requiring the disclosure of mask values used by the countermeasures to protect the cryptographic algorithm during a cryptographic session, and, in response to such a command, to send the mask values through the communication interface circuit.

Abstract: A method of protecting a microcircuit against attacks aimed at discovering secret data used on the execution, by the microcircuit, of an encryption algorithm includes generating at least one protection parameter for the secret data and modifying the execution of the encryption algorithm through that protection parameter. Generation of the at least one protection parameter includes defining a function generating, by successively applying to at least one secret parameter which is stored in memory, a sequence of values which can only be determined from that secret parameter and that function, and to generate the protection parameter in a reproducible way from at least one value in that sequence.

Abstract: A method of locating a handheld device emitting an electric field and/or magnetic field includes defining a reference area, arranging at least one electric field and/or magnetic field probe proximate to or inside the reference area, arranging the handheld device within the reference area, receiving from the probe a detection signal of the electric field and/or magnetic field emitted by the handheld device, and analyzing the detection signal supplied by the probe and determining therefrom the location of the handheld device within the reference area. Embodiments of the invention are applicable to the performance of an interactive action, which is initiated depending upon the location of the handheld device within the reference area.

Abstract: A process for establishing a data link between a first processor configured to supply, upon a contact communication port, a first data carrying signal, and a second processor configured to supply, upon a contact communication port, a second data carrying signal is described. The process includes providing a first coupler and a second coupler, establishing a contactless coupling between the first and second couplers and, by the intermediary of the couplers and at least one RF signal, transferring the first data carrying signal to the second processor and transferring the second data carrying signal to the first processor. The second processor is, for example, a secure processor of a SIM card and the first processor is an NFC controller.

Abstract: A method for routing incoming or outgoing application data in an NFC system includes an NFC interface circuit performing contactless data sending and receiving. The routing of incoming application data received by the interface circuit includes routing at least a first portion of the incoming application data to a destination point located in the NFC system and designated as arbitration point of incoming application data routing; analyzing by the arbitration point the first portion of the incoming application data to identify the application for which the data is sent to the NFC system; designating by the arbitration point a point of destination of the application data and application processing; and routing a second portion of the incoming application data to the destination and processing point.

Abstract: A method for managing application data in an NFC system embedded or to be embedded in a portable object including a contactless data sending/receiving interface, one or more host processors and a data routing or transferring processor is described. The method includes generating complementary application data in response to the routing or transferring of external application data, and supplying the complementary application data to a host processor of the NFC system.