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Arria10 Secure Boot : unable to boot SPL FUSE

ChristianMS
Novice
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On the Arria10, a signed SPL using the FUSE method does not boot at all, but it does boot when using the USER method. The behavior is the same as if we had not programmed the fuses.


Details :

Using the alt_authtool.py utility found in the repository, the SPL is signed.
The tool accepts the following options:

- fuse: embed root pubkey in image. BootROM verifies its hash against device fuses.
- fpga: fetch trusted root pubkey from location in FPGA memory.
- user: embed root pubkey in image. BootROM does not verify.

 

read EC key
Private-Key: (256 bit)
priv:
9e:e1:55:ec:b6:be:bd:15:22:80:73:3a:66:ee:07:
fa:58:26:1f:d0:13:c8:e5:6a:b0:05:bc:23:f7:dc:
58:46
pub:
04:0d:b3:cf:29:e9:54:60:7a:1c:d2:99:ca:5e:dd:
d0:72:98:0c:5f:89:33:2c:16:35:24:4f:65:ad:ba:
23:45:9d:ec:5e:22:06:9f:b6:b2:bd:d0:19:8c:53:
aa:af:20:1c:df:72:0f:02:e9:44:b0:86:1a:d5:b5:
7a:2c:81:65:dd
ASN1 OID: prime256v1
NIST CURVE: P-256

 

First, we generate the SPL using the user option, then follow the Application Note, and the Arria10 board boots correctly.

python3 -B -E $(which alt_authtool.py) sign -t user -k ${ROOT_KEY_PEM} -i ${DEPLOYDIR}/u-boot-spl-public-key.sfp -o ${DEPLOYDIR}/u-boot-spl-public-key-signed.sfp --fuseout ${DEPLOYDIR}/u-boot-spl-public-key-signed.fuse

 

The following text is displayed:

SHA256 digest of root public key: 3dfe63cab8b3657db2ebdeaca234f0d6ec3744a3905d7e04dfa63a5a6721dfe7

 

==> The SPL with USER option boots correctly.

 

Next, we generate the SPL using the fuse option. With this, the FPGA should only be able to boot if the fuses are programmed (volatile or non-volatile). When alt_authtool.py is executed, it displays the SHA256 hash of the public key. We use this public key to construct a file containing:

key1 3DFE63CAB8B3657DB2EBDEACA234F0D6EC3744A3905D7E04DFA63A5A6721DFE7

 

Using this key file, we generate an EKP file with Quartus (compressed into a zip and attached to the present message).

In the end, using the Quartus Prime Programmer, we program the Arria10 board with EKP file (this takes less than one second).

Capture d'écran 2025-07-15 100249.png

Capture d'écran 2025-07-15 100852.png

Capture d'écran 2025-07-15 111142.png

Immediately after programming the volatile fuses, the board resets (the power supply current drops from 1A to 0.8A, and then returns to 1A), and the fan stops and restarts.

==> However, on the serial console, the SPL signed with the FUSE method does not display any messages, and neither U-Boot nor the kernel is loaded.

 

On the other hand, the SPL signed with the USER method is still able to boot, even with the volatile fuses programmed (boot messages appear, and both U-Boot and the kernel are loaded).

Question:

Can you help us to solve this boot issue with the FUSE method ? The behavior is like volatile fuses are not programmed !

 

If you need more information and details, please tell us.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Christian & Baptiste

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28 Replies
ThFo
Beginner
359 Views

Hi @SueC_Altera 

 

Thank you for the information.
Do you have a rough estimate of how long this might take?

 

Best regards,

Christian & Baptiste & Théo

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SueC_Altera
Employee
332 Views

Hi Guys,

You should have gotten an email update on the situation. Please let me know if that did not arrive.

Thanks,

Sue

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ThFo
Beginner
324 Views

Hi @SueC_Altera ,

 

We haven't received any emails. Christian and Théo checked their spam folders and they didn't find anything in there.

 

Best regards,

Christian & Baptiste & Théo

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ThFo
Beginner
260 Views

Hi @SueC_Altera @nareshrkumar ,

 

Since your last message, we have not received any further information by email.
Could you please confirm whether the details we previously provided by email are sufficient to prepare the NDA document?

 

Best regards,

Christian & Baptiste & Théo

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SueC_Altera
Employee
230 Views

Hi All,

I'm sorry for your frustration. Unfortunately, NDAs are not my area.  I've asked for an update and expressed your frustration to them.  Keep bugging me if you don't hear back and I'll keep bugging them.

Sue

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SueC_Altera
Employee
145 Views

Hi All,

Just wanted to update you that we connected with a person in France and you should be hearing from them soon.  I'm sorry for the delay.

Sue

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ThFo
Beginner
138 Views

Hi @SueC_Altera 

 

We can confirm that a representative from Altera France has contacted us regarding our request.
We will continue to provide updates on the situation on this post.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Best regards,

Christian & Baptiste & Théo

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Jeet14
Employee
3,593 Views

Hi Theo & Christian,


Any update on the previous post by Naresh Kumar.


Regards

Tiwari


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