Single Event Effects Tolerant AES-CTR Implementation for Authentication of Satellite Communication

Abstract

Recently, the increase in the use of fast and reliable communication systems has increased the significance and utilization of satellite-based communication systems. The communication systems used in the space environment is more reliable and robust as compared to communication systems used on earth. Because unlike ground communication, the communication systems in space have to bear harsh space environment and its effects like radiations, pressure, and vacuum, which causes anomalies in communication systems. These effects are known as Single Event Effects (SEE), which results in loss of data or sometimes even damage to the equipment. Like ground systems, in satellite, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a widely used encryption algorithm which is not only used to provide data confidentiality but also used in data authentication & integrity algorithms (e.g. CMAC) as well as in authenticated encryption (AE) algorithm (e.g., AES-GCM). The Substitution Box (S-Box) is a main component of the AES algorithm, which is generally implemented on memory blocks. The memory blocks in space are vulnerable to radiations and mostly affected by SEE; hence, protection techniques against SEE are proposed by researchers. Two methods for implementation of the S-Box algorithm are by a look-up table or by an algorithm. In this work, analysis of using these two methods of the S-Box implementation for SEE is performed. The implementation of both methods is performed on FPGA, and results show that the algorithm implementation is more reliable in the space environment as compared to table-based implementation.

Architectural Optimization of Parallel Authenticated Encryption Algorithm for Satellite Application

“…These extreme conditions are the radiation on space due to Van Allen radiation belt and solar flares. Many researchers proposed various optimizations for implementation to reduce the effects of the radiations on the electronics hardware [26]. The utilization of this algorithm for satellite applications has compelled us to propose some additional architectural optimization for the proposed AE algorithm.…”

“…Besides, there are many SEE error mitigation techniques, but the modification in architecture for optimizing it for AE algorithms helps to reduce SEE without inducing an overhead. Researchers proposed that designing the AE algorithm by avoiding the use of memories such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) can help in reducing the SEE [26]. Fortunately, the design of security algorithms (such as the AES algorithm) uses less amount of memory.…”

Intelligent read-out circuit for space radiation detection

“…Single-event effects are the phenomena that happened because space radiation affects the digital device in many areas [15], [16]. A single iron will interact with the electronics chip; such as computer memories and microprocessors and caused changes or bit flip of the state of memory or register bits [17]. This even will create two types of results: non-destructive and destructive effects.…”