Abstract: Techniques are described for metadata processing that can be used to encode an arbitrary number of security policies for code running on a processor. Metadata may be added to every word in the system and a metadata processing unit may be used that works in parallel with data flow to enforce an arbitrary set of policies. In one aspect, the metadata may be characterized as unbounded and software programmable to be applicable to a wide range of metadata processing policies. Techniques and policies have a wide range of uses including, for example, safety, security, and synchronization. Additionally, described are aspects and techniques in connection with metadata processing in an embodiment based on the RISC-V architecture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 2016
Date of Patent:
March 19, 2019
Assignees:
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., The National Institute for Research in Data Processing and Automation
Inventors:
Andreā² DeHon, Eli Boling, Catalin Hritcu