Method and apparatus of secure authentication for system on chip (SOC)

[0019]Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and apparatus of secure authentication for system on a chip (SoC). Aspects of the invention may comprise a SoC that may enable authentication of an external entity attempting to gain access to a function or system. The SoC and an authorized external entity may each have knowledge of hidden data prior to an authentication attempt and may communicate data during the authentication process as well. Using like data, the SoC and external entity may be able to generate the same password and achieve system access. Passwords may be unique in two ways, for example: per operation and per SoC device. A random number generator (RNG) on board the SoC may enable the passwords to vary for each iteration of the authentication process. Each instance of a SoC has its own secret word allowing passwords to be unique for each device.

[0020]FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary SoC that enables secure authentication operations