PICO : An Ultra Lightweight and Low Power Encryption Design for Ubiquitous Computing

Gaurav Bansod; Narayan Pisharoty; Abhijit Patil

doi:10.14429/dsj.66.9276

Gaurav Bansod Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune
Narayan Pisharoty Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune
Abhijit Patil Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9276

Keywords: Lightweight cryptography, SP network, block cipher, encryption, embedded security

Abstract

An ultra-lightweight, a very compact block cipher ‘PICO’ is proposed. PICO is a substitution and permutation based network, which operates on a 64 bit plain text and supports a key length of 128 bits. It has a compact structure and requires 1877 GEs. Its innovative design helps to generate a large number of active S - boxes in fewer rounds which can thwart the linear and differential attacks on the cipher. PICO shows good performance on both the hardware and the software platforms. PICO consumes only 2504 bytes of Flash memory which is less than the ultra-lightweight cipher PRESENT. PICO has a very strong substitution layer (S-box) which not only makes the design robust but also introduces a great avalanche effect. PICO has a strong and compact key scheduling which is motivated by the latest cipher SPECK designed by NSA. PICO consumes 28 mW of dynamic power which is less than the PRESENT cipher (38 mW). The security analysis of PICO and its performance as an ultra-lightweight cipher are presented.

Author Biographies

Gaurav Bansod, Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune

Dr Gaurav Bansod received his PhD from Symbiosis International University and MTech (Embedded Sytems) from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2008. He is currently pursing PhD from Symbiosis International University, Pune. Currently he is working as an Assistant Professor in Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune. His research area include: Low power cryptographic design, embedded systems, and hardware and software design.

Narayan Pisharoty, Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune

Dr Narayan Pisharoty received BTech from IIT Bombay in 1966, MTech from IIT Kanpur in 1968 and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA in 1971. Currently he is the Research Mentor for Engineering at Symbiosis International University, Pune, India and a Professor in the Electronics & Telecommunication Department of Symbiosis Institute of Technology. His research area include : RFID applications, alternate energy sources and applications of microcontrollers in agriculture.

Abhijit Patil, Electronics and Telecommunication, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune

Mr Abhijit S Patil perceived MTech from Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune in 2015. He is currently working in IBM India Pvt Ltd. His research area include : Embedded security system, lightweight cipher, embedded automotive systems and embedded real time systems.