The Microchip CryptoAuth Trust Platform is the newest addition to the CryptoAuthentication™ evaluation kits. This kit
is used for exploring and developing solutions for the IoT space with a pre-provisioned ATECC608A Trust&GO, preconfigured TrustFLEX and fully customizable TrustCUSTOM products.
The Trust&GO and TrustFLEX products have been developed to allow for an easy way to add hardware security to
IoT Cloud solutions. Using the kit with the Microchip development tools and provisioning systems allows for
customers with low volume projects to easily and readily implement secure authentication into their application.
This user guide provides a physical overview of the connections, components and features associated with the
CryptoAuth Trust Platform development kit.
The Microchip Website................................................................................................................................. 11
The CryptoAuth Trust Platform consists of a Microchip SAM D21 microcontroller configured as the main MCU. It
comes pre-programmed with Microchip`s Secure Products Group (SPG) kit protocol. This protocol facilitates the
communication between the CryptoAuthentication devices and the host MCU over the USB HID interface. The data
transfer between the secure elements and the host MCU is indicated by the Status LED.
The trust platform consists of three secure elements: ATECC608A-TNGTLS (Trust&GO), ATECC608A-TFLXTLS
Prototype (TrustFLEX) and ATECC608A-MAHDA (TrustCUSTOM). Each of the secure elements has a different I2C
address that enables its communication with the host MCU, which eliminates the line contention issue.
A micro USB cable (not included) is required to operate the board.
1.2 Functional Description
The block diagram in Figure 1-2 illustrates the major connections of the CryptoAuth Trust Platform. For additional
details refer to the board schematics referenced in section 1.3 Hardware Documentation of the document.
Figure 1-2. Block Diagram
DM320118
Hardware Overview
ATECC608A
Secure
Elements
I2C
SPI
SWI/(Tx/Rx)
mikroBUS
Header
USB Upstream
USB2422
Hub
USB DN1
USB DN2
Host MCU
ATSAMD21E18A
SWD
nEDBG
TX/RX
Debugger
Main Board Components
• ATSAMD21: The Microchip SAM D21 is an ARM® Cortex M0+ based microcontroller. The MCU connects to the
three secure elements via I2C. The mikroBUS header has I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO and analog connections to the
microcontroller. This enables the possibility of using the CryptoAuth Trust Platform with many types of
MikroElektronika Click boards™.
• Secure Elements: The Trust Platform consists of three ATECC608A-based ICs, as listed in the following table.
Please refer to the specific data sheets associated with each of these devices for more details.
DeviceDefault 7-bit I2C Address8-bit Programmed I2C Address Value
(1)
ATECC608A-TNGTLS0x350x6A
ATECC608A-TFLXTLS0x360x6C
ATECC608A-MAHDA0x600xC0
Note:
1.This is the I2C_Address byte value programmed into the ATECC608A device.
• mikroBUS Header: The mikroBUS header is a pre-defined header connection for all the MikroElektronika
boards. This lets the user connect many types of Click sensors and add-on boards to the Trust Platform. The
Trust Platform has SPI, I2C, UART and GPIO and analog connections to the host microcontroller.
• DIP Switch: The switch is used to select between the on-board ATECC608A Trust Platform devices and the
mikroBUS header. The switches disconnect the SDA lines of the I2C interface to prevent conflict in case two I2C
addresses are the same. Both switches can be enabled if all I2C addresses are unique on all devices connected
to the board.
Switch SettingsWhat is Enabled
SW2_1SW2_2mikroBUS HeaderOn-Board Devices
ONONYesYes
OFFONNoYes
ONOFFYesNo
OFFOFFNoNo
• nEDBG Debugger: The debugger is used to program and flash the host MCU. Debug information can also be
read back from the host MCU through the debugger interface. When plugged into the system and opened with
MPLAB X IDE, the nEDBG debugger will show up with a serial number of MCHP3311xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
• USB Hub: The Microchip USB2422 is a dual-port USB hub. The hub will pass data between the upstream port
and the downstream devices. The downstream devices are the debugger and the host MCU.
1.3 Hardware Documentation
Additional documentation for the kit can be found on the Microchip Website for the DM320118.
This includes:
1.Board Design Documentation including Schematics and 3D Views
The mikroBUS connector is emerging as a de facto industry-standard add-on board form factor. The CryptoAuth Trust
Platform board has a single mikroBUS host connector. Having this capability dramatically expands the usefulness of
this board for developing and prototyping new applications. All of the boards listed in Table 2-1 have been developed
by MikroElektronika, except as noted.
sample units for doing development work. This
board was developed as an alternative to using
socketed boards. Each of the devices can be
individually selected using the on-board DIP
switches.
MikroElektronika The secure UDFN Click board™ has been
developed as an 8-pin UDFN socketed solution for
configuring and provisioning CryptoAuthentication
devices. These devices may be used to mount to
early prototype or production boards.
MikroElektronika The secure SOIC click board has been developed
as an 8-pin SOIC socketed solution for configuring
and provisioning CryptoAuthentication devices.
These devices may be used to mount to early
prototype or production boards.
supports IEEE® 802.11 b/g/n protocols and
communicates over the SPI interface.
I2C interface. This device is the same as the
ATECC608A TrustCustom device that is mounted on
the CryptoAuth Trust Platform board.
I2C interface.
™
Secure 3 clickATSHA204AMikroElektronika Has a generic ATSHA204A secure element with an
I2C interface. The device has a cryptographic
coprocessor with symmetric secure hardware-based
key storage.
Secure 6 clickATSHA204AMikroElektronika Has a generic ATSHA204A secure element with a
SWI interface. The device has a cryptographic
coprocessor with symmetric secure hardware based
key storage.
Secure 2 ClickATAES132AMikroElektronika Has a generic ATAES132A secure element with an
I2C Interface. The ATAES132A is a 32K serial
EEPROM that can be configured as a secure
memory device.
The CryptoAuth Trust Platform can be used in a variety of ways. These include:
1.As a development tool in conjunction with Microchip’s Trust Platform Design Suite of use case tools.
2.As a development and demonstration platform for Microchip predefined applications.
3.As a development platform to develop your own applications using Microchip’s Python-based tools or C-based
tools.
Various software tools are available to work with the CryptoAuth Trust Platform.
3.1 Software Application Development
The following tools are useful for developing or modifying applications.
Trust Platform Design Suite
The Microchip Trust Platform Design Suite of use case tools are based on Jupyter Notebooks and Python programs
to allow a developer to quickly define and develop applications for the Trust Platform products.
The Microchip Trust Platform Design Suite provides the ability to inter-operate with the on-board ATECC608A
CryptoAuthentication devices or CryptoAuthentication devices attached through the mikroBUS header. The tool
provides an easy way to select from available device options and generate the required configuration files needed for
provisioning. The tool can also be used to develop applications utilizing the CryptoAuth Trust Platform.
DM320118
Software Requirements
MPLAB® X IDE
MPLAB X is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that works on Windows®, macOS®, and Linux
environments. The tools can be used to develop new embedded applications using the onboard SAM D21
microcontroller. The tool will automatically make use of the onboard nEDBG debugger to program the SAM D21
microcontroller. The debugger can also be used to provide debug information back from the host microcontroller to a
terminal window through a COM port.
Atmel Studio 7
Atmel Studio 7 is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that works on Windows® environments. The tools
can be used to develop new embedded applications using the onboard SAM D21 microcontroller. The tool will
automatically make use of the onboard nEDBG debugger to program the SAM D21 microcontroller. The debugger
can also be used to provide debug information back from the host microcontroller to a terminal window through a
COM port.
CryptoAuthLib
CryptoAuthLib was developed to make working with Microchip’s CryptoAuthentication devices a simple and
straightforward process. CryptoAuthLib has been designed with a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) to make it easily
extensible to other microcontrollers. Both C and Python versions of the library are available. The Python version of
the library is maintained by Microchip and available through the PythonPackage Index website (pypi.org). The most
recent version of CryptoAuthLib can be found on Microchip’s GitHub site.
• CryptoAuthLib - Python
• CryptoAuthLib - GitHub
3.2 Firmware Upgrade
®
New firmware for the CryptoAuth Trust Platform may be available periodically with new features or enhancements. In
addition, specific applications developed by Microchip may be made available for use with this development board.
The latest version of the firmware and information about other applications will be found on the DM320118 product
page.
Two Microchip tools exist for upgrading the firmware of the CryptoAuth Trust Platform development kit. Firmware
upgrades are done in the standard way using both tools and are not described in more detail here. Both of these
options utilized the nEDBG on-board debugger. These options are:
• MPLAB X IPE (Integrated Programming Environment) – This tool is provided as part of the MPLAB X IDE
download.
• Atmel Studio 7 – Integrated Design Environment.
Notice: Upgrading to the latest version of the tools is recommended. Older versions of the tool may not
recognize the nEDBG debugger or the specific kit information.
Microchip provides online support via our website at http://www.microchip.com/. This website is used to make files
and information easily available to customers. Some of the content available includes:
• Product Support – Data sheets and errata, application notes and sample programs, design resources, user’s
guides and hardware support documents, latest software releases and archived software
• General Technical Support – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), technical support requests, online
discussion groups, Microchip design partner program member listing
• Business of Microchip – Product selector and ordering guides, latest Microchip press releases, listing of
seminars and events, listings of Microchip sales offices, distributors and factory representatives
Product Change Notification Service
Microchip’s product change notification service helps keep customers current on Microchip products. Subscribers will
receive email notification whenever there are changes, updates, revisions or errata related to a specified product
family or development tool of interest.
To register, go to http://www.microchip.com/pcn and follow the registration instructions.
Customer Support
Users of Microchip products can receive assistance through several channels:
• Distributor or Representative
• Local Sales Office
• Embedded Solutions Engineer (ESE)
• Technical Support
Customers should contact their distributor, representative or ESE for support. Local sales offices are also available to
help customers. A listing of sales offices and locations is included in this document.
Technical support is available through the website at: http://www.microchip.com/support
Microchip Devices Code Protection Feature
Note the following details of the code protection feature on Microchip devices:
• Microchip products meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet.
• Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure families of its kind on the market today,
when used in the intended manner and under normal conditions.
• There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these
methods, to our knowledge, require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating
specifications contained in Microchip’s Data Sheets. Most likely, the person doing so is engaged in theft of
intellectual property.
• Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code.
• Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code
protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing the product as “unbreakable.”
Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection
features of our products. Attempts to break Microchip’s code protection feature may be a violation of the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act. If such acts allow unauthorized access to your software or other copyrighted work, you
may have a right to sue for relief under that Act.
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