Request for HSE Firmware Reference Manual for S32K312 and Secure Key Storage Details

[Chibeom]

Hello,

We are currently working on a project using the S32K312 MCU and looking to implement secure key storage through the HSE firmware.
Could you kindly provide us with the HSE Firmware Reference Manual for the S32K312 (or a relevant version compatible with it)?
This would greatly help us understand the HSE services, memory structure, and secure storage workflow in detail.

In addition, we would like to ask a few questions regarding secure key storage:

Does the HSE provide a secure NVM area internally (or reserved flash section) for storing wrapped user keys (e.g. private keys)?

Can we import and later access such keys securely through the HSE API (read/write operations) while ensuring the data remains non-volatile and inaccessible via memory dump or debugger?

Is there any documentation available that describes the layout of key catalogs (RAM/NVM) and the secure handling of key objects?

Any help, links, or documentation related to this would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Best regards,

[lukaszadrapa]

Hi @Chibeom 

HSE Firmware Reference Manual can be downloaded from S32K3 page, section Documentation -> Secure Files:

https://www.nxp.com/products/S32K3#documentation

Latest version is 2.5 and it covers all S32K3 devices. You must be logged in to see the Secure Files. If you can’t see the manual, it may be necessary to request it:

https://www.nxp.com/support/support/secure-access-rights:SEC-ACCESS

Once HSE firmware is installed, certain parts of flash memory are reserved exclusively for HSE. These flash areas are not accessible for user or via debug interface.

Yes, you can import/use/export keys securely through HSE services  - following rules and restrictions described in the HSE FW reference manual.

The key catalogs and key management in general is described in the HSE FW reference manual.

Next important document is HSE Service API Reference Manual. To get the document, you need to download HSE FW package and install it. It can be found in S32K3 Standard Software:

https://www.nxp.com/webapp/swlicensing/sso/downloadSoftware.sp?catid=SW32K3-STDSW-D

Open “Automotive SW - S32K3 - HSE Firmware” and download latest version for your derivative.

Install the SW package on your computer and then you will find the document at path like this:

c:\NXP\HSE_FW_S32K344_0_2_55_0\docs\S32K3X4_HSE_Service_API_Reference_Manual.pdf

And also take a look at HSE DemoExamples:

https://www.nxp.com/webapp/Download?colCode=S32K3_HSE_DemoExamples

Regards,

Lukas

[Chibeom]

Hi, 

Thank you for your response.

I’ve accessed the “Secure Files” section as advised, and I can see 23 files listed under that section. However, unfortunately, the HSE Firmware Reference Manual does not appear to be among them.

I’d like to confirm:

Is an NDA required in order to access the HSE Firmware Reference Manual for the S32K312?

Or is it possible that I’ve overlooked the correct file?

Any clarification you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Chibeom

[lukaszadrapa]

I believe that NDA is not necessary. If you really can't see the manual in the list, go to:

https://www.nxp.com/webapp-signup/docstoreReg

Then go to "Processors and Microcontrollers" -> "S32 Automotive Processing Platform" and select "S32K Automotive General-Purpose MCUs". 

Write short description about your request and submit the form. 

And here's what you should see in the list:

Regards,

Lukas