Microchip Releases Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS) to Accelerate Embedded Security Deployment

TPDS is suitable for a rapidly increasing variety of security use cases and allows prototyping of new projects in minutes

In 2019, Microchip Technology Inc. announced the Trust Platform for the CryptoAuthenTIcaTIon™ family, the industry's first hardware-based, pre-configured solution for secure components designed to help organizations of all sizes achieve secure authentication in an easy way. Microchip today announced the latest enhancements to its Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS), a software platform designed for device configuration and inclusion in Microchip's embedded security pre-configuration services, to further enrich its product portfolio.

TPDS version 2 (v2) software enables Microchip partners to add use cases to the rich ecosystem of onboarding security solutions, further expanding the already extensive options for developers to deploy best-in-class security. TA100.

Simplifying Development

It can take months for an experienced firmware engineer to determine an application's threat model and develop a security use case that includes all the necessary measures for secure authentication, secure boot, IP protection, and more. Two of the main challenges involved are configuring the security perimeter of the device and pre-configured keys, including private keys as well as symmetric keys and other forms of key data.

TPDS software simplifies the development process by providing pre-defined use cases to address the most common market requirements. It can be used with two of the three Trusted Platform processes - Trust&GO and TrustFLEX. these solutions enable new security projects to be prototyped in minutes with TPDS v2, while providing options based on the customer's deployment size, use case requirements and the level of customization required:.

-Trust&GO - Appliances are pre-defined and pre-configured off-the-shelf for secure cloud authentication on TLS and LoRaWAN-based networks, with minimum orderable quantities (MOQs) starting at just 10 units.

-TrustFLEX - Customers can use pre-configured appliances for this solution with default generic certificates or dedicated certificates (custom PKI), while supporting a wider range of predefined use cases than the Trust&GO solution.

To meet the most demanding use cases, Microchip's TrustCUSTOM family gives customers the freedom to fully define secure authentication configurations and fully customize security key stores.

With a fully integrated configuration onboarding process, TPDS v2 software allows customers to select a security solution, validate use cases, prototype and then begin the security pre-configuration process, all in a few simple steps.

Our TPDS v2 software makes it easy for developers to comply with existing standards and upcoming embedded system security regulations by incorporating security best practices into an intuitive and streamlined process," said Nuri Dagdeviren, vice president of Microchip's Security Products Business Unit. We will continue to help our customers accelerate time-to-market and win long-term business with reliable hardware and security solutions. tPDS will also support Microchip security solutions beyond secure components for on-boarding and pre-configuration services."

Third-Party Integration

One of the biggest benefits of TPDS v2 is that it enables third-party partners to add their own use cases, enriching customers' options for secure component on-boarding and security features. one of Microchip's partners, EBV Elektronik (Avnet Group), enables TPDS v2 users to configure via ATECC608B TrustFlex, using EBV-IoT "Security Shield" evaluation kit to quickly and securely connect to the Avnet IoTConnect Cloud. For more information please click here.

We have a strong relationship with Microchip and are very excited to be part of the Trusted Platform Design Kit v2 program, enabling scalable security for all customers on chip and in the cloud," said Antonio Fernandez, vice president of technology development at EBV Elektronik. Adopting best practices is an important step in achieving our common goal of providing the best security platform for all of our customers. We believe that the enhancements to TPDS provide the easiest and most cost-effective way for us to remain at the forefront of the industry and help our customers deploy best-in-class solutions."

TPDS v2 software works

Trusted Platform Design Suite v2 enables users to.

-Enable secure on-boarding through training videos and interactive application notes for various use cases.

-Develop applications based on selected use cases, finalize the configuration of the security solution, and perform secret key exchange.

-Procure validation samples and start production.

Development Tools

The Trusted Platform Design Kit supports both Windows® and macOS® environments. the TA100 Configurator is only available for the Windows platform.

Availability and Pricing

Microchip's open source Trusted Platform Design Suite (TPDS) is available as a free download on Microchip's website for the Trust&GO and TrustFLEX processes. The website also offers training videos, interactive application notes, C code and other project support. The TrustCUSTOM software extension for TPDS is available under a signed NDA and can be purchased through Microchip's direct sales website for $20 per unit.