Maxim introduces Safety Certifier for automotive applications

     Maxim Integrated has announced the launch of the DS28E40 DeepCover Automotive Application Safety Certifier, which helps designers improve the safety, reliability and data integrity of their vehicles while reducing design complexity and software development time by certificating the safety of automotive parts and ensuring their authenticity. In a critical system, only genuine components provide the highest safety and reliability. As the latest addition to Maxim Integrated's AEC-Q100 Level 1 automotive system solutions, the DS28E40 is a safety certificator with parasitic power supply, and the device uses a 1-WIRE interface to simplify system connectivity. This safety certificator ensures that only genuine components are used in many electronic systems, such as Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and electric vehicle batteries.

     As vehicles become more complex, the potential risks to their safety and reliability increase. There are two approaches to safety certification by car manufacturers: ensuring that only OEM-certified parts are securely connected to vehicle systems; Reduce the risk of growing malware attacks. However, mature security microcontrollers are relatively large in size and require software teams to spend a lot of time developing and conducting rigorous code testing and debugging.

     Current microcontroller-based design schemes mainly have the following problems: the larger the code base, the greater the possibility of vulnerabilities or malware attacks, and the higher the risk of adverse effects on its performance; In addition, most automotive safety certification schemes on the market are implemented using I²C and SPI interfaces, which occupy many interface pins - including dedicated power and reset lines, and the number of pins is as high as 5-6. More pins cause more power consumption and more reliability problems.

     The DS28E40 DeepCover Security Certifier is a fixed function 1-WIRE solution that meets AEC-Q100 Level 1 standards and can replace microcontroller-based solutions. Single-function devices provide Oems with highly targeted algorithms and instruction sets to meet their specific security certification needs, while reducing system design complexity and associated code development effort. Built-in public/private key asymmetric ECDSA (ECC-P256 curve) and other key security authentication algorithms, Oems do not need to develop special device-level codes. The algorithms and others in the Security Certification IC provide the strongest protection against unauthorized components that compromise system performance, security, and data integrity.

     The 1-Wire interface enables power supply and data communication through a single pin, requiring only 2 wires including ground. Fewer interface pins connect the ECU to the remote end with minimal cable harnesses, effectively reducing costs and further improving reliability. The DS28E40 comes in a small, 4mm x 3mm TDFN package and operates in the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.