Energy-Efficient Hardware Architectures for Enhanced Secure Communication Systems

Abstract

In the era of digital transformation, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been pivotal in driving innovations across various sectors. However, this expansion also brings forth heightened security risks, particularly in the communication between billions of connected devices. This thesis presents significant advancements in secure and reliable communication systems, crucial for addressing these risks within IoT infrastructures. It explores the development and integration of cryptographic solutions designed to enhance both the energy efficiency and reliability of communications. Central to this work is the CERMET framework, which integrates energy-efficient cryptographic techniques with both symmetric (AES) and asymmetric (ECC) encryption methodologies. This framework significantly reduces the energy demands of cryptographic operations, crucial in energy-constrained environments. Additionally, this research repurposes the padding bits of AES to improve error correction capabilities, thereby enhancing the reliability of data transmission across noisy channels. Together with the application of the Guessing Random Additive Noise Decoding (GRAND) decoder, these technologies are unified into a comprehensive system that assures robust security and data integrity. This work not only addresses the critical needs for energy efficiency in IoT but also sets a new benchmark for the security and robustness of communication systems, facilitating a scalable and adaptable solution for various IoT applications.