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Maxim Integrated’s DeepCover DS28E40 is an extremely simple device, externally. The 3- × 4-mm chip uses a 1-Wire interface that needs only a ground connection and a power/data pin for communication. That’s not much more complicated than a surface-mount resistor, and not much bigger.
The difference is that the DeepCover device is a secure authentication system akin to the security found in secure microcontrollers or secure elements, but in a much smaller and cheaper package. It enables a battery-management system to check the authenticity of its battery packs, or it could be used to verify that the proper module is plugged into a motherboard.
The simple interface and compact size make for a low-power device with high security. Though each 1-Wire device has a 64-bit identifier, that’s not what is used for authentication. Instead, the system utilizes a public/private key, elliptic-curve digital signal algorithm (ECDSA) encryption system that meets ISO 21434 security parameters sufficient for automotive applications.
A chip can be placed into all automotive devices like cameras, LiDAR, and radar modules, etc. so that they could be authenticated. This would prevent these devices from being replaced with corrupted alternatives.
A 1-Wire Automotive Authenticator development kit is available.
