Programmable SoC for an XTEA Encryption Algorithm Using a Co-Design Environment Replication Performance Approach

Mohamed H Al Meer

doi:10.4236/jcc.2017.511004

Abstract

With the rapid development of wired and wireless networks, the security needs within network systems are becoming increasingly intensive owing to the continuous development of new applications. Existing cryptography algorithms differ from each other in many ways including their security complexity, size of the key and words operated on, and processing time. Nevertheless, the main factors that prioritize an encryption algorithm over others are its ability to secure and protect data against attacks and its speed and efficiency. In this study, a reconfigurable Co-Design multi-purpose security design with very low complexity, weight, and cost, has been developed using Extended Tiny Encryption Algorithm (XTEA) data encryption standards. The paper aims to discuss issues and present solutions associated with this system, as well as compare the Co-Design implementation approach with Full-Hardware and Full-Software solutions. The main contribution that this paper offers is the profiling of XTEA cryptographic algorithm to reach more satisfactory understanding of its computation structure that leads to fully software, fully hardware, beside the co-design implementations all together, of this light weight encryption algorithm.

Highlights

Data security is of high concern in applications where user data is exchanged, especially regarding data transmission over network channels
The main contribution that this paper offers is the profiling of XTEA cryptographic algorithm to reach more satisfactory understanding of its computation structure that leads to fully software, fully hardware, beside the co-design implementations all together, of this light weight encryption algorithm
It was shown that the Nios II synthesis utilizes 2.4% of the total Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) ALM resources and 0.82% of the total FPGA Registers resources

Summary

Introduction

Data security is of high concern in applications where user data is exchanged, especially regarding data transmission over network channels. We can see these types of applications used in devices of all types including gadgets, health care devices, and environment and pollution monitoring systems Such devices often connect to the Internet or a trusted destination by means of a network, but this exposes them to being hacked, snooped, cloned, counterfeited, or even tracked, which may lead to the violation of user privacy. Most of these devices are small in size, inexpensive, and consume low power, but may not withstand more part area for security concerns. Since there is a growing need to ensure the security of data transmitted through such devices, many lightweight cryptographic algorithms have been developed and implemented

Methods

Results

Conclusion