Infineon demos remote PC peripherals authentication with ORIGA authentication chip

BANGALORE, INDIA: Infineon Technologies AG announced that its unique chip-based asymmetric authentication solution has been ported to Intel vPro technology, providing the basis for IT system administrators, OEM Tech Support and Warranty Services to improve the integrity of computer systems.

At the recent Intel Developer Forum 2009, Infineon demonstrated how chip-based authentication can help implement authentication of PC peripherals and improve the integrity of enterprise systems. The Infineon ORIGA (SLE 95050) chip makes it possible to recognize if a peripheral or accessory, such as external storage devices and graphics cards, is original equipment or cloned.

Cloned devices, which may not offer the same level of reliability, quality and warranty as authorized original equipment, cannot be operated on a system configured to work only with authenticated hardware. In environments with Intel vPro technology, IT administrators and other authorized users can use Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) to authenticate system components and perform inventory checks of networked assets.

“Authentication of devices can enhance system security by restricting access if an unauthorized PC peripheral or accessory is attached to a client device,” said Paolo Cocchiglia, Vice President, ASIC and Power IC, Infineon Technologies North America Corp.

“In conjunction with Intel vPro technology, it can also improve reliability and help to reduce maintenance issues by preventing deliberate or accidental use of cloned devices, since an administrator can readily identify any cloned or unauthorized devices attached to a system and address the issue before it causes problems. Together with energy efficiency and communication, security is one of the three focus areas of Infineon.”

“We are committed to creating an ecosystem of suppliers and partners to enhance the native capabilities of Intel vPro technology,” said Larry Wiklund, Director Business Development, Business Client Group, Intel.

“Infineon’s demonstration of hard-wired authentication for system components and peripherals shows how IT administrators can gain access to a new and powerful tool to enhance the integrity of systems and help validate that all hardware in a digital office environment complies with corporate requirements.”

In the demonstration, a USB-stick containing the ORIGA chip acted as a peripheral to be authenticated. In practice, manufacturers of peripherals and accessories, including graphics cards, external storage devices, networking cards, user interface accessories, notebook and netbook batteries, etc., would integrate the chip into their products, working with Infineon to implement a secure authentication supply chain.

The demonstration utilizes the IDE_REDIRECT feature of Intel AMT to illustrate how remote secure manageability from Intel can be coupled with strong and secure authentication technology from Infineon to deliver solutions for a secure digital office.

Infineon’s authentication chip, the ORIGA (SLE 95050), provides asymmetric authentication based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The low-power chip, with single wire bus interface, can be operated in a bus-powered mode and contains a hardware-protected private key that is integrated into the peripheral device.

The host device only contains a software resident public key that is used in the authentication process. ECC is a more advanced encryption/decryption algorithm than today’s asymmetric systems (i.e. RSA) and the public/private key algorithms are recognized as more secure than symmetric, shared key systems like AES and DES.

The ECC asymmetric authentication technology allows different host-to-peripheral authentication which is independent of the location of the peripheral or the communication interface (wireless, local, wired, chip-to-chip, etc.).

Additional applications of ORIGA technology include allowing service providers (i.e. Internet, data service, media provider) to use secure authentication technology to deliver content to the rightful subscriber or owner, and providing consumers with a tool for secure digital home environments.

Intel's retail POS kiosk provides unique shopping experience

Imagine walking around a retail store, when you come across a retail POS kiosk, which suddenly springs into life with your image! It also shows you a welcome message, even as you are probably checking out of the store, swiping your credit/debit card on the machine/kiosk, or merely going around the store, browsing stuff!

The POS system then goes on to show you either various alternatives of items for you to choose, either based on your previous shopping experience, or also apprise you of the many new offerings and other great discounts available within the store!

How does this POS system do all of this? Well, there is probably a Star Customer card possibly kept inside your handbag or pocket, which has been provided to you by the store that you have been frequenting so often. As you come in line with this POS system, its in-built sensor reads your customer card and springs into life, and action!

Find this kind of a shopping experience hard to believe? Well, all of this can now be possible, and now in India itself, thanks to Intel's retail point-of-sale (POS) proof-of-concept system. Intel recently unveiled an energy-efficient retail POS proof-of-concept system, which promises to do these, and much more!

According to Sanat Rao, Marketing Director, Emerging Markets, Embedded Computing Division (ECG), Intel Technology India Pvt. Ltd, this retail POS proof-of-concept system exhibits the latest in digital signage and POS technology in a kiosk form-factor.

This system demonstrates how technology can enhance the retail shopping experience by including customer preferences, real-time inventory access etc. It also demonstrates how the total cost of ownership (TCO) for a retail store can be lowered by using energy-efficient devices. Rao added that the reference design is available for India customers as well.

Need for retail POS
The need is obvious! Legacy POS systems are basically fixed-function devices that are primarily used for billing and retail. These also lack the intelligence about the user preferences.

Besides, the new retail POS system will use significant less power and energy, as compared to the legacy POS system.

Benefits for retail
Elegant and refined, the retail POS adapts and integrates into the retail environment, enabling personalized customer service and an engaging sales experience. Its built in security enables secure transactions as well as additional insurance against theft. The adaptable, eco friendly and modular system boasts of the following benefits:

Reconfigurable system: Configurable as a POS, Kiosk or combination.
Modular design: Swap out components for easy maintenance.
Power savings mode: POS instantly wakes up displaying signage.
Targeted promotions: Unit displays targeted promotions via digital signage. Utilizes prior shopping history with video analytics.
Cross-selling: A sales associate can up sell with related product inventory, promotions, and/or customer reviews.
Interactive product explorations: Customer can explore merchandise, view promotions, read customer reviews, etc.
Remote manageability: eliminates expensive maintenance trips & helps reduce TCO.

The retail POS system uses Intel's Core 2 Duo 45nm processor with vPro technology. This enables larger CPU Cache (6 MB), enables 70 percent reduction in power, and doubles the amount of raw processing power, and uses next-generation graphics.

The vPro technology enables supporting remote management and diagnostics as well as remote software upgrades and security. Devices can be turned off, as and when required.

India opportunity
Intel's retail POS system can be used by both organized retail (aka modern retail) as well as the high-frequency retail. For modern retailers, this can be an opportunity to provide a unique shopping experience to customers. Besides, there will be cost-savings through energy efficiency and remote management.

For the high-frequency retail shops, they can expect a trickle-down from the organized sector. Also, they stand to benefit from energy savings and customer preferences. That's the power of embedded computing folks!