Open Source IC Design for Post Quantum Cryptography

Wong, Matthew; Huynh, Bruce; Demirs, Alexander

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Open Source IC Design for Post Quantum Cryptography

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The development and research into quantum computers endanger the security of current cryptographic algorithms. To prepare for this, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a competition to develop post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Post-quantum cryptography lends itself to algorithms that are resistant to attacks by quantum computers. In this project, our team analyzes the final round of NIST algorithm submissions and selects the CRYSTALS-Dilithium algorithm to attempt an ASIC design implementation. We discuss the mathematics behind CRYSTALS-Dilithium and the design decisions of available FPGA implementations. Specifically, we focus on the Decomposer module of the design, which optimizes the output that the number theoretic transform (NTT) block to send to other modules. Small changes made to the register sizes of the Decomposer module result in a critical path 196% smaller and a 40.12% size reduction. Additionally, synthesis scripts are used to optimize our design further for area or speed; our new design is tested against the original design to verify the correctness of the optimizations. Other optimizations and recommendations are suggested at the end of the report to assist future scholars in exploring post-quantum ASIC design or the CRYSTALS-Dilithium algorithm.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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