The STM1403/1404 is a family of low power intrusion (tamper) detection security supervisors for the Point of Sale (POS) terminal market. They enable manufacturers to meet security standards such as FIPS-140 (NIST, US Dept. of Commerce), EMV Co, ISO, ZKA (Germany) and Visa PED. Until recently, many of these intrusion detection functions were implemented by using several discrete devices. The STM1403/1404 integrates all these functions into a small profile security-friendly QFN package. The STM1403/1404 meets most price, performance and board space objectives while ensuring customers are able to meet current and future security certification requirements for physical and environmental tamper detection.
This application note details the use of the STM1403/1404 security supervisors for clearing external SRAM in High Security Modules (HSM) for Point of Sale (POS) terminals. The devices integrate intrusion detection functions to meet security standards such as FIPS-140, EMV Co, and ISO.
The document explains two methods for clearing external memory: forcing the SRAM Vcc to ground using the STM140xC configuration, or using a negative charge pump with the STM140xB to rapidly corrupt memory data during a tamper event.
The device is a low power intrusion detection security supervisor designed for the Point of Sale terminal market.
An alarm is issued, and the system can initiate a process to zeroize cryptographic keys in volatile SRAM.
It forces the Vout pin low to drive the SRAM Vcc pin to Ground, removing power from the volatile SRAM.