An FPGA implementation and performance evaluation of the Serpent block cipher

With the expiration of the Data Encryption Standard (DES) in 1998, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) development process is well underway. It is hoped that the result of the AES process will be the specification of a new nonclassified encryption algorithm that will have the global acceptance achieved by DES as well as the capability of longterm protection of sensitive information. The technical analysis used in determining which of the potential AES candidates will be selected as the Advanced Encryption Algorithm includes efficiency testing of both hardware and software implementations of candidate algorithms. Reprogrammable devices such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are highly attractive options for hardware implementations of encryption algorithms as they provide cryptographic algorithm agility, physical security, and potentially much higher performance than software solutions. This contribution investigates the significance of an FPGA implementation of Serpent, one...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: FPGA
• Authors: Adam J. Elbirt, Christof Paar
• Keywords: Advanced Encryption, Encryption, Encryption Algorithms, FPGA, FPGA 2000