English
Cryptography in software or hardware: It depends on the need
Yann Loisel, Maxim Integrated Products
EETimes (8/28/2011 2:21 PM EDT)
Cryptographic algorithms are high-performance, secure engines that require considerable space in a design. When countermeasures are added to thwart security attacks, the space and memory requirements grow even more demanding.
For these reasons, cryptographic algorithms have traditionally been embedded as proprietary designs (i.e., intellectual property, IP) in hardware on smart cards or 8-bit chips. With recent improvements in core design and frequency performance, designers are now asking whether the customized IP blocks are still needed for these secure algorithms.
In short, can a designer use a generic core in the hardware to save space and cost, and embed the cryptographic algorithms in software? The answer is simple…well, not so simple - it depends on the need.
|
E-mail This Article | 
|
|
Printer-Friendly Page |
|
||||||
Related Articles
- ISA optimizations for hardware and software harmony: Custom instructions and RISC-V extensions
- IoT security: hardware vs software
- A framework for the straightforward integration of a cryptography coprocessor in SoC-based applications
- Dealing with automotive software complexity with virtual prototyping - Part 2: An AUTOSAR use case
- Optimizing embedded software for power efficiency: Part 2 - Minimizing hardware power
New Articles
- Why RISC-V is a viable option for safety-critical applications
- Dimensioning in 3D space: Object Volumetric Measurement by Leveraging Depth Camera-based Reconstruction on NVIDIA Edge devices
- What is JESD204B? Quick summary of the standard
- Post-Quantum Cryptography - Securing Semiconductors in a Post-Quantum World
- Analysis and Summary on Clock Generator Circuits and PLL Design
Most Popular
- System Verilog Assertions Simplified
- Enhancing VLSI Design Efficiency: Tackling Congestion and Shorts with Practical Approaches and PnR Tool (ICC2)
- System Verilog Macro: A Powerful Feature for Design Verification Projects
- Method for Booting ARM Based Multi-Core SoCs
- An Outline of the Semiconductor Chip Design Flow