Encrypted download of SRAM-based FPGAs

Method and apparatus is provided for securely configuring a programmable hardware device from a remote source. The programmable hardware device includes a plurality of programmable logic modules. A host receives configuration information from the remote source, where the configuration information defines a function of the programmable logic modules. The host encrypts the configuration information according to a cryptographic algorithm. The encrypted information is transferred to a special download engine at the programmable hardware device, which decrypts the information according to the same cryptographic algorithm. The programmable logic modules are thus configured by the decrypted configuration information, which has been securely downloaded from the remote source.