Elliptic Semiconductor Launches Digital Rights Management Security Products

OTTAWA, CANADA, - Security semiconductor provider Elliptic Semiconductor today announced the launch of a portfolio of security products targeted at designers implementing digital rights management (DRM) designs. Working closely with MIPS Technologies, Inc. and system-on-a-chip (SoC) designers of digital consumer devices, Elliptic has developed a complete portfolio of products that supports Microsoft Windows DRM, IPTV and the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) 2.0 DRM standards.

The Elliptic portfolio provides moderate throughput, low power DRM designs for a range of applications from cell phones and other battery powered applications through high end set-top box designs capable of managing 1000 Mbps of encrypted throughput. This enables designers to choose the level of performance required to support their specific service model from low resolution video through multi-channel, high definition television in today's most advanced set-top boxes.

DRM has finally come of age as consumers understand that content owners' rights must be honored. Designers however must build cost-effective solutions that will be secure against attack and allow their end customers to address multiple DRM regimes. Designers also want to work with industry security experts to develop an embedded security module (ESMTM) that is not only highly resistant to traditional and side-channel attacks but can be manufactured in volume at off-shore wafer fabrication and assembly facilities.

By migrating traditional FIPS security design practices into a commercial flow, Elliptic is able to offer a complete set of solution from architecture through to economic manufacture that meets the security objectives of this class of customers and usage models. MIPS Technologies has supported Elliptic in the development of an optimum solution including Elliptic's proprietary SafeBISTTM that offers economic test at wafer probe and final test without the risk of compromise encountered using traditional testing approaches.

"In an increasingly competitive digital consumer market, our customers are integrating sophisticated security capability into their designs to maintain a competitive advantage," said Jeff Sasagawa, director, market development for MIPS Technologies. "We are pleased to assist Elliptic Semiconductor in their development of semiconductor IP and supporting software that can be incorporated seamlessly into a MIPS-Based(TM) SoC and offer industry leading security solutions that address multiple DRM applications."

About Elliptic Semiconductor

Headquartered in Ottawa, Elliptic Semiconductor Inc (www.ellipticsemi.com) provides semiconductor products for secure communications ranging from low power TCP/IP implementations with associated IPsec and SSL security through ultra-high speed link security solutions multiple Gigabit per second throughput rates. All designs consist of comprehensive reference implementations including semiconductor IP blocks, software drivers and APIs and supporting software designed to speed time to market and offer complete, proven interoperability to customers.

About MIPS Technologies

MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at +1 (650) 567-5000 or http://www.mips.com.