An 8-bit systolic AES architecture for moderate data rate applications

• Published in: Microprocessors and microsystems 2009-05, Vol.33 (3), p.221-231
• Main Authors: Farhan, Sheikh Muhammad, Khan, Shoab A., Jamal, Habibullah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES); Cryptography; Low power; Security
• ISSN: 0141-9331; 1872-9436
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpro.2009.02.013

The complexity involved in mapping an algorithm to hardware is a function of the controller logic and data path. Minimizing data path size can lead to significant savings in hardware area and power dissipation. This paper presents an implementation of a novel architectural transformation technique for mapping a word bit wide algorithm to byte vector serial architecture. The technique divides the input word to several bytes and then traces each byte for extracting architectural transformation. The technique is applied on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm which is non-linear in nature. Using this technique, the 32-bit AES algorithm is transformed into a byte-systolic architecture. The novelty of the technique is more pronounced around the mix column design which is the most complex part of the AES algorithm. The complex matrix multiplication component and standard transformations of the 32-bit AES algorithm are transformed to support 8-bit operations. The resulted AES architectures reuse same logic resources for key expansion and encryption/decryption. The proposed design offers moderate data rates in the range of 41 Mbps for encryption and 37 Mbps for decryption while utilizing 236 and 280 slices, respectively, on Xilinx Virtex II xc2v1000-6 FPGA. Comparison results show significant gain in throughput when compared with other 8-bit designs. This makes it a viable data/communication security solution for a variety of embedded and consumer electronics.