A programmable device image (PDI) defines the device’s functionality and loads into the device during power-on. Because this configuration data is stored off chip, a possibility of unauthorized duplication or modification exists.
There are multiple techniques to increase the protection of the PDI and any embedded intellectual property (IP) cores. One method to increase the protection of the confidentiality of your IP is to encrypt the configuration data using an AES-256 key. This technique allows for off-chip storage of your IP protected with high grade encryption. PDI authentication is another method that verifies the authenticity and integrity of the PDI.