Secure JAVA Reconfigurable Computing Platform

Derivation Systems, Inc. proposes to architect a secure JAVA based low-cost, high-performance, high assurance, scalable reconfigurable computing platforrn. Advanced research in this methodology is fundamental to the development of secure configurable hardware systems with executable content over the Internet, advancements to design methodology, and has broad impact on Global Information Exchange, telecommunications, banking transportation control, and military capability while having immediate use in the commercial market. The proposed platform would consist of a JAVA microprocessor and scalable array of reconfigurable computing elements in a co-processor architecture. The operational concept is to execute encrypted JAVA byte-code and encrypt traffic to and from memory. In addition, the secure reconfigurable array would require the configuration bitstream be encrypted and will be decrypted by the chip internally. In either case, there is never an un-encrypted version of the program outside the processor. All architectural elements, including the JAVA microprocessor, encryption algorithms, and memory management unit will be in hardware providing additional level of secunty against intrusion. The main goal of the hardware platform will be to provide a universal, secure computing module that interfaces directly to the Internet and provides high-perforrnance in a low-cost, scalable package.