1 Scope

This document will cover a general overview of security concepts and use cases but will not cover these in deep detail. This document focuses on the hardware features of the dsPIC33A product family and how these features can be used to realize the needs of those use cases. For example, in a secure boot use case, information on how the dsPIC33A can verify a code signature of a firmware image will be discussed, but information on how to configure and use an HSM to generate a code signing key pair and sign a firmware image is out of scope of this document.

This document covers overviews of the hardware features available in the dsPIC33A family of products. More comprehensive descriptions of the hardware features can be found in the product’s data sheet. The product’s data sheet is the authoritative source if there are any discrepancies between this document and it.

Product families may vary in what security features are available. Refer to the product data sheet to determine the capabilities of the specific device in use.

Additional resources for topics beyond the scope of this document can be found in Resources.