Infineon SLM9670AQ20FW1311XTMA1: Secure Element for Embedded Automotive Applications

The rapid evolution of automotive technology, marked by increasing connectivity, autonomous driving features, and sophisticated electrification, has made cybersecurity a paramount concern. At the heart of protecting these complex systems is the hardware-based Secure Element (SE), a dedicated security controller designed to safeguard sensitive data and ensure trust in electronic operations. The Infineon SLM9670AQ20FW1311XTMA1 stands out as a premier solution engineered specifically for the rigorous demands of embedded automotive applications.

This secure element is built upon a high-performance 32-bit ARM® SC300 core, providing the robust computational power necessary for advanced cryptographic operations. It is certified according to Common Criteria EAL6+ (High), one of the highest assurance levels available for commercial security components, guaranteeing a rigorously evaluated and tamper-resistant design. This makes it an ideal trust anchor for a vehicle's network, capable of defending against sophisticated physical and remote attacks.

The SLM9670 series is particularly designed for integration into a wide array of automotive use cases. Its primary function is to provide a hardware-isolated secure vault for critical assets such as cryptographic keys, certificates, and personal user data. This isolation ensures that even if the main application processor is compromised, these fundamental trust elements remain protected. Key applications include:

Secure Car Access: Enabling ultra-secure passive keyless entry (PKE) and immobilizer systems through protected key storage and cryptographic challenge-response protocols.

V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) Communication: Establishing trust for messages sent between vehicles and infrastructure by securely managing the identities and certificates required for authentication.

Software Over-The-Air (SOTA) Updates: Verifying the authenticity and integrity of firmware updates before they are installed, preventing the deployment of malicious code.

Secure In-Car Communication: Acting as a Hardware Security Module (HSM) to authenticate ECUs on in-vehicle networks (e.g., CAN, Ethernet), preventing unauthorized nodes from participating.

The "AQ20" in its product name signifies its compliance with the AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualification standard, confirming its reliability and operational resilience across the automotive temperature range (-40°C to +105°C). Furthermore, its FW1311 firmware is optimized for these environments, offering a comprehensive suite of cryptographic algorithms (including AES, RSA, ECC, and SHA) and supporting the latest security protocols.

In essence, the Infineon SLM9670AQ20FW1311XTMA1 is more than just a chip; it is the foundational root of trust upon which the security and safety of modern vehicles are built. By offloading critical security functions from the main host processor into a dedicated, hardened environment, it provides automakers with the confidence to deploy new connected features while mitigating escalating cybersecurity risks.

ICGOODFIND: The Infineon SLM9670AQ20FW1311XTMA1 is a top-tier AEC-Q100 certified Secure Element, delivering a Common Criteria EAL6+ certified root of trust for advanced automotive cybersecurity in V2X, SOTA, and secure access applications.

Keywords:

1. Secure Element (SE)

2. Common Criteria EAL6+

3. AEC-Q100 Grade 2

4. Root of Trust

5. Automotive Cybersecurity