NXP has introduced the EdgeLock A30 Secure Authenticator chip, a Common Criteria EAL 6+ certified solution designed to enhance security for IoT devices, including applications like battery authentication. This chip ensures compliance with the EU Batteries Regulation 2023/1542, which mandates the implementation of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) by 2027 to promote traceability, sustainability, and safety in battery manufacturing and recycling.
Alasdair Ross, Senior Director of NFC IoT Security at NXP, highlights:
“Secure authentication safeguards brand integrity, consumer safety, and product traceability. It builds trust while protecting devices from physical damage. Despite its compact size—smaller than a grain of rice—the EdgeLock A30 supports various authentication scenarios, enabling developers to address diverse devices and accessories with a single solution. These include device-to-device authentication, cloud-to-device communication, counterfeit protection, and secure identity storage.”
Advanced Security Features
The EdgeLock A30 is equipped with robust security capabilities, including AES-128/256 encryption, ECDSA, ECDH, PKI-based key management, and a Random Number Generator (RNG) compliant with NIST SP800-90B standards. Certified to the AVA_VAN.5 vulnerability analysis assurance level, it is built to withstand advanced cyberattacks.
Available in compact WLCSP and HVQFN20 packages, the chip operates in a wide temperature range (-40°C to +105°C) and integrates seamlessly with NXP’s EdgeLock 2GO IoT platform for secure certificate provisioning. Its versatility makes it ideal for applications such as batteries, industrial equipment, medical devices, chargers, and other high-security, regulation-compliant designs.
Secure Memory Management
At the core of the EdgeLock A30’s secure architecture is its Memory Protection Unit (MPU), which serves as an intermediary between the Secure RISC-V processor and memory subsystems, including ROM, RAM, and Non-Volatile Memory (NVM). The MPU efficiently separates secure and non-secure processes, ensuring memory integrity in cryptographic applications.
- ROM stores immutable secure boot code.
- RAM handles runtime operations.
- NVM securely holds configuration data, credentials, and cryptographic keys.
By preventing unauthorized access and protecting against attacks like buffer overflows and memory tampering, the MPU enhances overall device security.
Seamless Integration and Development Tools
To facilitate integration, NXP offers a suite of software tools, examples, and documentation, all available on GitHub. The EdgeLock A30 supports the EdgeLock 2GO platform, enabling secure certificate generation, delivery, and provisioning for IoT devices. Additionally, the A30-EVAL development kit (breakout board) is compatible with platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other microcontrollers via I²C connections, simplifying the evaluation of the chip’s capabilities.
A Legacy of Innovation
Building on the success of its predecessor, the A71CH Secure Element Chip—designed for TLS-based communication and secure cloud connectivity—the EdgeLock A30 shifts its focus to authentication and anti-counterfeiting applications.
Pricing and Availability
The EdgeLock A30 Secure Authenticator chip is priced at $0.77 per unit for orders of 1,000-unit trays, with a minimum order quantity of 10,000 units. For more details, visit the product page or the official press release.