1. Introduction
The A1006 Secure Authenticator IC is a secure, easy to use authentication IC for use in
electronic accessories such as AC/DC adapters, cables, keyboards, docking stations,
batteries, digital headsets, electronic cigarettes etc., for authentication and
anti-counterfeiting purposes.
NXP Semiconductors has a long track record and extensive portfolio of security ICs. NXP
security ICs have been used in many high security applications including bank cards,
health insurance cards, and electronic passports. They are also being used as embed ded
secure elements in mobile phones.
The A1006 secure authentication IC extends this portfolio for ap plications requiring
tamper-resistant, secure, on e -wa y au th en tic atio n .
The A1006 authenticatio n IC is a secure soluti on built with many tamper resistant features
and security countermeasures to deter common invasiv e and non-invasive attacks.
2. General description
The A1006 Secure Authenticator Solution is a complete embedded security platform for
electronic accessories, mobile phones, portable devices, computing and consumer
electronic devices, and embedded systems where a strong security infrastructure is
required for authentication and counterfeit detection and prevention. The A1006 provides
an outstanding level of security, while overcoming the challenges of performance, power
consumptio n an d so lut ion footp rin t.
The A1006 security solution is based on industry standard asymmetric cryptographic
challenge-response protocols, using NIST approved elliptic curves, Elliptic Curve
Diffie-Hellman challenge respon se (ECDH), and customizable X.509 certificates signed
using the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). Advanced anti-tampering
countermeasures are incorporated into the A1006 to prevent various attacks and
minimize the scalability of any attempts to clone the A1006.
The A1006 is offered as a turnkey solution that provides customers easy integration into
their end products. A 400 kbps I
2
C-bus interface along with a one-wire interface provide
simple options for interfacing to most embedded systems. A reference host library is
provided to simplify host code implementation, and keys and certificates can be
programmed in NXP's secure manufacturing facilities, eliminating the need for creating
and managing private key insertion and ce rtificate signing in the system d esigner's supply
chain.
A1006
Secure Authenticator IC
Rev. 1 — 25 July 2018 Product short data sheet
A1006_SDS All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers. © NXP B.V. 2018. All rights reserved.
Product short data sheet Rev. 1 — 25 July 2018 2 of 18
NXP Semiconductors
A1006
Secure Authenticator IC
3. Features and benefits
Advanced security using unique asymmetrical public/private key based Diffie-Hellm an
authentication protocol based on ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) with a NIST B-163
bit strong binary field curve
Authentication time (on-chip calculations) < 50 milliseconds
Each A1006 is provisioned with a fixed un ique Private Key and a corr esponding Public
Key in a certificate that contains the Public Key and additional information including a
unique identifier and the customizable product-specific fields.
A1006 certificates are digitally signed using ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature
Algorithm) based on the NIST P-224 curve and the SHA-224 digest hash, with the
customer's desired certificate authority key
Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) for storage of device behavior, usage data, logistic
information or any other arbitrary data
Protection against Simple Power Analysis (SPA), Differential Power Analysis (DPA)
and fault attacks
One-Wire Interface (OWI) at 125 kbps, with ability to support bus-powered operation
400 Kbps I
2
C Fast-mode interface
Power consumption: Maximum of 550 µA active
Deep Sleep mode with very low power consumption of less than 3.3 µA at 3.3 V and <
1 µA at 1.8 V
Entry to and exit from the Deep Sleep mode through I
2
C/OWI interface
1
ESD protection 8kV IEC61000-4-2 contact discharge (on OWI pin)
EEPROM sections (4 Kbit total)
2 Kbit certificates (2 1 Kbit)
1 Kbit user memory
1 Kbit system memory
Minimum 10 years memory retention at 85 C
500,000 write/erase endur ance
Multiple Package options available
HXSON6: Plastic thermal enhanced extremely thin small outline package, no leads
WLCSP4: 4 bump W afer Level Chip Scale Package
Maximum height 0.5 mm
Operating temperature range 40 C to 85 C
3.1 Trust provisioning service
The A1006 can be delivered with pre-programmed, device-specific keys and certificates
that are generated and programmed in a secure NXP internal environment with master
keys securely stored in HSMs (Hardware Secure Modules).
1. Separate wakeup pin to wake up from deep sleep state in HXSON6 package