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TM4C123BE6PZ: TM4C129ENKCPDT

Joe Gleason
Prodigy 220 points
Part Number: TM4C123BE6PZ
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TM4C129EKCPDT

For the TM4C123 series and TM4C129EKCPDT, how can manufacturers program/encrypt the flash memory in the microcontroller so that unauthorized users can't copy our software? Would we have to outsource to other encryption chips for this? 

  • 0
    TI__Guru 72500 points
    See the description of the Flash Memory Protection Read Enable registers in section 8.6 of the datasheet.

    www.ti.com/.../tm4c123be6pz.pdf
  • 0
    Guru 117855 points

    Joe Gleason said:
    how can manufacturers program/encrypt the flash memory in the microcontroller so that unauthorized users can't copy our software?

    May I respectfully disagree w/vendor agent - and note that, "Preventing those skilled, financed, and properly equipped" from "extracting your software" proves HIGHLY UNLIKELY!

    Should you doubt that - contact vendor's Sales Office - ask if they will commit such, "Software Protection Capability to writing."     I assure you - they will NOT.     And that is the (real) operative comment...

    Note that this "illusion of security" proves "not unique" to this vendor!     There are MCUs which make far more rigorous attempts to provide (some) security - these cost far more - and even they may be breached - although greater time/effort/expense is required.

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    Guru 27665 points

    cb1_mobile said:
    Joe Gleason
    how can manufacturers program/encrypt the flash memory in the microcontroller so that unauthorized users can't copy our software?

    May I respectfully disagree w/vendor agent - and note that, "Preventing those skilled, financed, and properly equipped" from "extracting your software" proves HIGHLY UNLIKELY!

    And the financing required appears to be quite low. I've heard figures bandied about in the low three digits (US)

    There used to be (may still be) a thriving business cracking the protection on satellite receivers for the grey market. And their security was considerably higher.

    Robert

  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett
    Guru 117855 points

    Robert Adsett said:
    There used to be (may still be) a thriving business cracking the protection on satellite receivers for the grey market.

    My friend - were you NOT "sworn to secrecy?"

    Another example - contrasting those "regulating" - against the (always) superior Skills, Cunning, Financing of those being, "regulated."     Wall Street Traders are far better paid - have superior equipment, methods & motivation - than those "salary men" (attempting) to regulate - who prove (always) FAR LESS INSPIRED, RESOURCEFUL & REWARDED!     

    "Imaginary walls" - even high ones - prove incapable of keeping "bad agents" away...