11,220 research outputs found
MV3: A new word based stream cipher using rapid mixing and revolving buffers
MV3 is a new word based stream cipher for encrypting long streams of data. A
direct adaptation of a byte based cipher such as RC4 into a 32- or 64-bit word
version will obviously need vast amounts of memory. This scaling issue
necessitates a look for new components and principles, as well as mathematical
analysis to justify their use. Our approach, like RC4's, is based on rapidly
mixing random walks on directed graphs (that is, walks which reach a random
state quickly, from any starting point). We begin with some well understood
walks, and then introduce nonlinearity in their steps in order to improve
security and show long term statistical correlations are negligible. To
minimize the short term correlations, as well as to deter attacks using
equations involving successive outputs, we provide a method for sequencing the
outputs derived from the walk using three revolving buffers. The cipher is fast
-- it runs at a speed of less than 5 cycles per byte on a Pentium IV processor.
A word based cipher needs to output more bits per step, which exposes more
correlations for attacks. Moreover we seek simplicity of construction and
transparent analysis. To meet these requirements, we use a larger state and
claim security corresponding to only a fraction of it. Our design is for an
adequately secure word-based cipher; our very preliminary estimate puts the
security close to exhaustive search for keys of size < 256 bits.Comment: 27 pages, shortened version will appear in "Topics in Cryptology -
CT-RSA 2007
Distributed Averaging via Lifted Markov Chains
Motivated by applications of distributed linear estimation, distributed
control and distributed optimization, we consider the question of designing
linear iterative algorithms for computing the average of numbers in a network.
Specifically, our interest is in designing such an algorithm with the fastest
rate of convergence given the topological constraints of the network. As the
main result of this paper, we design an algorithm with the fastest possible
rate of convergence using a non-reversible Markov chain on the given network
graph. We construct such a Markov chain by transforming the standard Markov
chain, which is obtained using the Metropolis-Hastings method. We call this
novel transformation pseudo-lifting. We apply our method to graphs with
geometry, or graphs with doubling dimension. Specifically, the convergence time
of our algorithm (equivalently, the mixing time of our Markov chain) is
proportional to the diameter of the network graph and hence optimal. As a
byproduct, our result provides the fastest mixing Markov chain given the
network topological constraints, and should naturally find their applications
in the context of distributed optimization, estimation and control
Pseudo Memory Effects, Majorization and Entropy in Quantum Random Walks
A quantum random walk on the integers exhibits pseudo memory effects, in that
its probability distribution after N steps is determined by reshuffling the
first N distributions that arise in a classical random walk with the same
initial distribution. In a classical walk, entropy increase can be regarded as
a consequence of the majorization ordering of successive distributions. The
Lorenz curves of successive distributions for a symmetric quantum walk reveal
no majorization ordering in general. Nevertheless, entropy can increase, and
computer experiments show that it does so on average. Varying the stages at
which the quantum coin system is traced out leads to new quantum walks,
including a symmetric walk for which majorization ordering is valid but the
spreading rate exceeds that of the usual symmetric quantum walk.Comment: 3 figures include
Measuring sets in infinite groups
We are now witnessing a rapid growth of a new part of group theory which has
become known as "statistical group theory". A typical result in this area would
say something like ``a random element (or a tuple of elements) of a group G has
a property P with probability p". The validity of a statement like that does,
of course, heavily depend on how one defines probability on groups, or,
equivalently, how one measures sets in a group (in particular, in a free
group). We hope that new approaches to defining probabilities on groups
outlined in this paper create, among other things, an appropriate framework for
the study of the "average case" complexity of algorithms on groups.Comment: 22 page
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