One of the two project reports: The other part is designated PART A: MCMASTER (Off-Campus) PROJECT / <P> A simple and inexpensive pseudo-random number generator has been designed and built using linear feedback shift registers to generate rectangular and gaussian distributed numbers. The device has been interfaced to a Nova computer to provide a high speed source of random numbers. The two distributions have been checked with the following tests: (i) Frequency test (ii) Autocorrelation test and (iii) d 2-test. Results of each test have been compared with the expected theoretical values. Finally, a comparison of the generating speed has been made between this new generator and the existing old software generators. This 28-bit generator is especially desirable in random simulation and Monte Carlo application if randomness, speed and cost are the main consideration in the design. </P> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

This dissertation investigates four methods for attacking stream ciphers that are based on nonlinear combining generators: -- Two exhaustive-search correlation attacks, based on the binary derivative and the Lempel-Ziv complexity measure. -- A fast-correlation attack utilizing the Viterbi algorithm -- A decimation attack, that can be combined with any of the above three attacks. These are ciphertext-only attacks that exploit the correlation that occurs between the ciphertext and an internal linear feedback shift-register (LFSR) of a stream cipher. This leads to a so-called divide and conquer attack that is able to reconstruct the secret initial states of all the internal LFSRs within the stream cipher. The binary derivative attack and the Lempel-Ziv attack apply an exhaustive search to find the secret key that is used to initialize the LFSRs. The binary derivative and the Lempel-Ziv complexity measures are used to discriminate between correct and incorrect solutions, in order to identify the secret key. Both attacks are ideal for implementation on parallel processors. Experimental results show that the Lempel-Ziv correlation attack gives successful results for correlation levels of p = 0.482, requiring approximately 62000 ciphertext bits. And the binary derivative attack is successful for correlation levels of p = 0.47, using approximately 24500 ciphertext bits. The fast-correlation attack, utilizing the Viterbi algorithm, applies principles from convolutional coding theory, to identify an embedded low-rate convolutional code in the pn-sequence that is generated by an internal LFSR. The embedded convolutional code can then be decoded with a low complexity Viterbi algorithm. The algorithm operates in two phases: In the first phase a set of suitable parity check equations is found, based on the feedback taps of the LFSR, which has to be done once only once for a targeted system. In the second phase these parity check equations are utilized in a Viterbi decoding algorithm to recover the transmitted pn-sequence, thereby obtaining the secret initial state of the LFSR. Simulation results for a 19-bit LFSR show that this attack can recover the secret key for correlation levels of p = 0.485, requiring an average of only 153,448 ciphertext bits. All three attacks investigated in this dissertation are capable of attacking LFSRs with a length of approximately 40 bits. However, these attacks can be extended to attack much longer LFSRs by making use of a decimation attack. The decimation attack is able to reduce (decimate) the size of a targeted LFSR, and can be combined with any of the three above correlation attacks, to attack LFSRs with a length much longer than 40 bits. / Dissertation (MEng (Electronic Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

Error-control codes provide a mechanism to increase the reliability of digital data being processed, transmitted, or stored under noisy conditions. Cyclic codes constitute an important class of error-control code, offering powerful error detection and correction capabilities. They can easily be generated and verified in hardware, which makes them particularly well suited to the practical use as error detecting codes.A cyclic code is based on a generator polynomial which determines its properties including the specific error detection strength. The optimal choice of polynomial depends on many factors that may be influenced by the underlying application. It is therefore advantageous to employ programmable cyclic code hardware that allows a flexible choice of polynomial to be applied to different requirements. A novel method is presented in this thesis to realise programmable cyclic code circuits that are fast, energy-efficient and minimise implementation resources.It can be shown that the correction of a single-bit error on the basis of a cyclic code is equivalent to the solution of an instance of the discrete logarithm problem. A new approach is proposed for computing discrete logarithms; this leads to a generic deterministic algorithm for analysed group orders that equal Mersenne numbers with an exponent of a power of two. The algorithm exhibits a worst-case runtime in the order of the square root of the group order and constant space requirements.This thesis establishes new relationships for finite fields that are represented as the polynomial ring over the binary field modulo a primitive polynomial. With a subset of these properties, a novel approach is developed for the solution of the discrete logarithm in the multiplicative groups of these fields. This leads to a deterministic algorithm for small group orders that has linear space and linearithmic time requirements in the degree of defining polynomial, enabling an efficient correction of single-bit errors based on the corresponding cyclic codes.

This diploma’s thesis discourses the cryptographic systems and ciphers, whose function, usage and practical implementation are analysed. In the first chapter basic cryptographic terms, symmetric and asymetric cryptographic algorithms and are mentioned. Also usage and reliability are analysed. Following chapters mention substitution, transposition, block and stream ciphers, which are elementary for most cryptographic algorithms. There are also mentioned the modes, which the ciphers work in. In the fourth chapter are described the principles of some chosen cryptographic algorithms. The objective is to make clear the essence of the algorithms’ behavior. When describing some more difficult algorithms the block scheme is added. At the end of each algorithm’s description the example of practical usage is written. The chapter no. five discusses the hardware implementation. Hardware and software implementation is compared from the practical point of view. Several design instruments are described and different hardware design programming languages with their progress, advantages and disadvantages are mentioned. Chapter six discourses the hardware implementation design of chosen ciphers. Concretely the design of stream cipher with pseudo-random sequence generator is designed in VHDL and also in Matlab. As the second design was chosen the block cipher GOST, which was designed in VHDL too. Both designs were tested and verified and then the results were summarized.