Security circuit using at least two finite state machine units and methods using the same

Abstract

A security circuit using at least two finite state machine units for storing data to and reading data from a multiport memory in a pipelined manner and an intermediate memory, for facilitating transfer of data between the at least two finite state machines. The security circuit may be used to perform key setup and/or data ciphering faster. The security circuit may operate in any environment where the key is changed every frame, for example, a wireless LAN application and the security circuit may operate in conjunction with, or as part of, a MAC controller.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A security circuit, comprising:
 a read finite state machine unit configured to read the data from the multiport memory in the pipelined manner and output the data to the intermediate memory;   a write finite state machine unit configured to receive the data from the intermediate memory and write the data to the multiport memory in the pipelined manner; and   an intermediate memory configured to facilitate transfer of data between the read finite state and the write finite state machine unit.