7.7 LOCKBIT - Memory Sections Access Protection

The device can be locked so that the memories cannot be read using the UPDI. The locking protects both the Flash (all Boot, Application Code, and Application Date sections), SRAM, and the EEPROM, including the FUSE data. This prevents successful reading of application data or code using the debugger interface. Regular memory access from within the application is still enabled.

The device is locked by writing a non-valid key to the LOCKBIT bit field in FUSE.LOCKBIT.

Table 7-4. Memory Access Unlocked (FUSE.LOCKBIT Valid Key)(1)
Memory SectionCPU AccessUPDI Access
ReadWriteReadWrite
SRAMYesYesYesYes
RegistersYesYesYesYes
Flash YesYesYesYes
EEPROMYesYesYesYes
USERROWYesYesYesYes
SIGROWYesNoYesNo
Other fuses including LOCKYesNoYesYes
Table 7-5. Memory Access Locked (FUSE.LOCKBIT Invalid Key)(1)
Memory SectionCPU AccessUPDI Access
ReadWriteReadWrite
SRAMYesYesNoNo
RegistersYesYesNoNo
Flash YesYesNoNo
EEPROMYesYesNoNo
USERROWYesYesNoYes(2)
SIGROWYesNoNoNo
Other fuses including LOCKYesNoNoNo
Note:
  1. Read operations marked No in the tables may appear to be successful, but the data is not valid. Hence, any attempt of code validation through the UPDI will fail on these memory sections.
  2. In the Locked mode, the USERROW can be written using the Fuse Write command, but the current USERROW values cannot be read out.
Important: The only way to unlock a device is CHIPERASE. No application data is retained.