Optimizations and Hardware Implementations for Composited de Bruijn Sequence Generators

A binary de Bruijn sequence with period 2^n is a sequence in which every length-n sub-sequence occurs exactly once. de Bruijn sequences have randomness properties that make them attractive for pseudorandom number generators. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find de Bruijn sequence generators with large periods (e.g., 2^{64}) and most known de Bruijn sequence construction techniques are computationally quite expensive. In this thesis we present a set of optimizations that reduces the computational complexity of the de Bruijn sequence generators constructed by the composited construction technique, which is the most effective one we know. We call optimized composited de Bruijn sequence generators "OcDeb". An original (k, n)-composited de Bruijn sequence generator generates a sequence with period 2^{n+k} and uses O(k^2 + nk) bit operations. Our optimizations reduce this to O(klog (k) + log (n)) operations, allow retiming, and enable parallel implementations that produce multiple bits per clock cycle while reusing some combinational hardware. Our optimizations are formulated in lemmas and theorems with proofs. The benefits of OcDeb-k-n over (k, n)-composited de Bruijn sequence generators are demonstrate by comprehensive results in a 65nm CMOS ASIC library. For example, before place-and-route, an instance of OcDeb-32-32 has a period of 2^{64}, an area of 656 GE and a maximum performance of 1.67 Gbps, representing 1.7X and 29.4X improvement on area and performance respectively over the previous implementation method presented by Mandal and Gong; with parallelization, this instance can achieve 8.30 Gbps with an area of 1229 GE. An instance of OcDeb-512-32 has a period of 2^{544}, an area of 7949 GE, and a maximum performance of 1.43 Gbps

Design and Analysis of Cryptographic Pseudorandom Number/Sequence Generators with Applications in RFID

This thesis is concerned with the design and analysis of strong de Bruijn sequences and span n sequences, and nonlinear feedback shift register (NLFSR) based pseudorandom number generators for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. We study the generation of span n sequences using structured searching in which an NLFSR with a class of feedback functions is employed to find span n sequences. Some properties of the recurrence relation for the structured search are discovered. We use five classes of functions in this structured search, and present the number of span n sequences for 6 <= n <= 20. The linear span of a new span n sequence lies between near-optimal and optimal. According to our empirical studies, a span n sequence can be found in the structured search with a better probability of success. Newly found span n sequences can be used in the composited construction and in designing lightweight pseudorandom number generators. We first refine the composited construction based on a span n sequence for generating long de Bruijn sequences. A de Bruijn sequence produced by the composited construction is referred to as a composited de Bruijn sequence. The linear complexity of a composited de Bruijn sequence is determined. We analyze the feedback function of the composited construction from an approximation point of view for producing strong de Bruijn sequences. The cycle structure of an approximated feedback function and the linear complexity of a sequence produced by an approximated feedback function are determined. A few examples of strong de Bruijn sequences with the implementation issues of the feedback functions of an (n+16)-stage NLFSR are presented. We propose a new lightweight pseudorandom number generator family, named Warbler family based on NLFSRs for smart devices. Warbler family is comprised of a combination of modified de Bruijn blocks (CMDB) and a nonlinear feedback Welch-Gong (WG) generator. We derive the randomness properties such as period and linear complexity of an output sequence produced by the Warbler family. Two instances, Warbler-I and Warbler-II, of the Warbler family are proposed for passive RFID tags. The CMDBs of both Warbler-I and Warbler-II contain span n sequences that are produced by the structured search. We analyze the security properties of Warbler-I and Warbler-II by considering the statistical tests and several cryptanalytic attacks. Hardware implementations of both instances in VHDL show that Warbler-I and Warbler-II require 46 slices and 58 slices, respectively. Warbler-I can be used to generate 16-bit random numbers in the tag identification protocol of the EPC Class 1 Generation 2 standard, and Warbler-II can be employed as a random number generator in the tag identification as well as an authentication protocol for RFID systems.1 yea

Codes and Sequences for Information Retrieval and Stream Ciphers

Given a self-similar structure in codes and de Bruijn sequences, recursive techniques may be used to analyze and construct them. Batch codes partition the indices of code words into m buckets, where recovery of t symbols is accomplished by accessing at most tau in each bucket. This finds use in the retrieval of information spread over several devices. We introduce the concept of optimal batch codes, showing that binary Hamming codes and first order Reed-Muller codes are optimal. Then we study batch properties of binary Reed-Muller codes which have order less than half their length. Cartesian codes are defined by the evaluation of polynomials at a subset of points in F_q. We partition F_q into buckets defined by the quotient with a subspace V. Several properties equivalent to (V intersect ) = {0} for all i,j between 1 and mu are explored. With this framework, a code in F_q^(mu-1) capable of reconstructing mu indices is expanded to one in F_q^(mu) capable of reconstructing mu+1 indices. Using a base case in F_q^3, we are able to prove batch properties for codes in F_q. We generalize this to Cartesian Codes with a limit on the degree mu of the polynomials. De Bruijn sequences are cyclic sequences of length q^n that contain every q-ary word of length n exactly once. The pseudorandom properties of such sequences make them useful for stream ciphers. Under a particular homomorphism, the preimages of a binary de Bruijn sequence form two cycles. We examine a method for identifying points where these sequences may be joined to make a de Bruijn sequence of order n. Using the recursive structure of this construction, we are able to calculate sums of subsequences in O(n^4 log(n)) time, and the location of a word in O(n^5 log(n)) time. Together, these functions allow us to check the validity of any potential toggle point, which provides a method for efficiently generating a recursive specification. Each successful step takes O(k^5 log(k)), for k from 3 to n

De Bruijn Sequences from Joining Cycles of Nonlinear Feedback Shift Registers

De Bruijn sequences are a class of nonlinear recurring sequences that have wide applications in cryptography and modern communication systems. One main method for constructing them is to join the cycles of a feedback shift register (FSR) into a full cycle, which is called the cycle joining method. Jansen et al. (IEEE Trans on Information Theory 1991) proposed an algorithm for joining cycles of an arbitrary FSR. This classical algorithm is further studied in this paper. Motivated by their work, we propose a new algorithm for joining cycles, which doubles the efficiency of the classical cycle joining algorithm. Since both algorithms need FSRs that only generate short cycles, we also propose efficient ways to construct short-cycle FSRs. These FSRs are nonlinear and are easy to obtain. As a result, a large number of de Bruijn sequences are constructed from them. We explicitly determine the size of these de Bruijn sequences. Besides, we show a property of the pure circulating register, which is important for searching for short-cycle FSRs

Physical Layer Approach for Securing RFID Systems

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) is a contactless, automatic identification wireless technology primarily used for identifying and tracking of objects, goods and humans. RFID is not only limited to identification and tracking applications. This proliferating wireless technology has been deployed in numerous securities sensitive applications e.g. access control, e-passports, contactless payments, driver license, transport ticking and health cards. RFID inherits all the security and privacy problems that are related to wireless technology and in addition to those that are specific to RFID systems. The security and privacy protection schemes proposed in literature for wireless devices are mostly secured through symmetric/asymmetric keys encryption/decryption and hash functions. The security of all these cryptographic algorithms depends on computationally complex problems that are hard to compute using available resources. However, these algorithms require cryptographic operations on RFID tags which contradict the low cost demand of RFID tags. Due to limited number of logic gates in tags, i.e., 5K-10K, these methods are not practical. Much research effort has done in attempt to solve consumer's privacy and security problem. Solutions that prevent clandestine inventory are mostly application layer techniques. To solve this problem, a new RFID physical layer scheme has been proposed namely Direct Sequence Backscatter Encryption (DSB Enc). The proposed scheme uses level generator to produce different levels before transmitting the signal to the tag. The tag response to the signal sent by the reader using backscatter communications on the same signal which looks random to the eavesdropper. Therefore eavesdropper cannot extract the information from reader to tag and tag to reader communication using passive eavesdropping. As reader knows the different generated levels added to the carrier signal, it can remove the levels and retrieve the tag's messages. We proposed a lightweight, low-cost and practically secure physical layer security to the RFID system, for a supply chain processing application, without increasing the computational power and tag's cost. The proposed scheme was validated by simulations on GNU Radio and experimentation using SDR and a WISP tag. Our implementation and experimental results validate that DSB Enc is secure against passive eavesdropping, replay and relay attacks. It provides better results in the presence of AWGN channel.1 yea

CERNAS: Current Evolution and Research Novelty in Agricultural Sustainability

Climate changes pose overwhelming impacts on primary production and, consequently, on agricultural and animal farming. Additionally, at present, agriculture still depends strongly on fossil fuels both for energy and production factors ,such as synthetized inorganic fertilizers and harmful chemicals such as pesticides. The need to feed the growing world population poses many challenges. The need to reduce environmental impacts to a minimum, maintain healthy ecosystems, and improve soil microbiota are central to ensuring a promising future for coming generations. Livestock production under cover crop systems helps to alleviate compaction so that oxygen and water can sufficiently flow in the soil, add organic matter, and help hold soil in place, reducing crusting and protecting against erosion. The use of organic plant production practices allied to the control of substances used in agriculture also decisively contributes to alleviating the pressure on ecosystems. Some of the goals of this new decade are to use enhanced sustainable production methodologies to improve the input/output ratios of primary production, reduce environmental impacts, and rely on new innovative technologies. This reprint addresses original studies and reviews focused on the current evolution and research novelty in agricultural sustainability. New developments are discussed on issues related to quality of soil, natural fertilizers, or the sustainable use of land and water. Also, crop protection techniques are pivotal for sustainable food production under the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, allied to innovative weed control methodologies as a way to reduce the utilization of pesticides. The role of precision and smart agriculture is becoming more pertinent as communication technologies improve at a rapid rate. Waste management, reuse of agro-industrial residues, extension of shelf life, and use of new technologies are ways to reduce food waste, all contributing to higher sustainability in food supply chains, leading to a more rational use of natural resources. The unquestionable role of bees as pollinators and contributors to biodiversity is adjacent to characterizing beekeeping activities, which in turn contributes, together with the valorization of endemic varieties of plant foods, to the development of local communities. Finally, the short circuits and local food markets have a decisive role in the preservation and enhancement of rural economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CERNAS – Current Evolution and Research Novelty in Agricultural Sustainability

This book addresses original studies and reviews focused on the current evolution and research novelty in agricultural sustainability. New developments are discussed on issues related with quality of soil, natural fertilizers or the sustainable use of land and water. Also crop protection techniques are pivotal for the sustainable food production under the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, allied to innovative weed control methodologies, as a way to reduce the utilization of pesticides. The role of precision and smart agriculture is becoming more pertinent as the communication technologies improve at a high rate. Waste management, reuse of agro industrial residues, extension of shelf life and use of new technologies are ways to reduce food waste, all contributing to a higher sustainability of the food supply chains, leading to a more rational use of natural resources. The unquestionable role of bees as pollinators and contributors for biodiversity is subjacent to the work of characterization of beekeeping activities, which in turn contribute, together with the valorization of endemic varieties of plant foods, for the development of local communities. Finally, the short circuits and local food markets have a decisive role in the preservation and enhancement of rural economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio