Irina Branovic

A workload characterization of elliptic curve cryptography methods in embedded environments

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is emerging as an attractive public-key system for constrained environments, because of the small key sizes and computational efficiency, while preserving the same security level as the standard methodsWe have developed a set of benchmarks to compare standard and corresponding elliptic curve public-key methods. An embedded device based on the Intel XScale architecture, which utilizes an ARM processor core was modeled and used for studying the benchmark performance. Different possible variations for the memory hierarchy of such basic architecture were considered. We compared our benchmarks with MiBench/Security, another widely accepted benchmark set, to provide a reference for our evaluation.We studied operations and impact on memory of Diffie-Hellman key exchange, digital signature algorithm, ElGamal, and RSA public-key cryptosystems. Elliptic curve cryptosystems are more efficient in terms of execution time, but their impact on memory subsystem has to be taken into account when designing embedded devices in order to achieve better performance.

Effects of Instruction-Set Extensions on an Embedded Processor: A Case Study on Elliptic Curve Cryptography over GF(2/sup m/)

Elliptic-Curve cryptography (ECC) is promising for enabling information security in constrained embedded devices. In order to be efficient on a target architecture, ECCs require accurate choice/tuning of the algorithms that perform the underlying mathematical operations. This paper contributes with a cycle-level analysis of the dependencies of ECC performance from the interaction between the features of the mathematical algorithms and the actual architectural and microarchitectural features of an ARM-based Intel XScale processor. Another contribution is the cycle-level analysis of a modified ARM processor that includes a word-level finite field polynomial multiplier (poly_mul) in its data path. This extension constitutes a good trade-off between applicability in a number of contexts, the simplicity of integration within the processor, and performance. This paper points out the most advantageous mix of elliptic curve (EC) parameters both for the standard ARM-based Intel XScale platform and for the one equipped with the polyjnul unit. In particular, the latter case allows for more than 41 percent execution time reduction on the considered benchmarks. Last, this paper investigates the correlation between the possible architectural organizations of a processor equipped with poly_mul unit(s) and EC benchmark performance. For instance, only superscalar pipelines can exploit the features of out-of-order execution and only very complex organizations (for example, four way superscalar) can exploit a high number of available ALUs. Conversely, we show that there are no benefits in endowing the processor with more than one poly_mul, and we point out a possible trade-off between performance and complexity increase: A two-way in-order/out-of-order pipeline allows +50 percent and +90 percent of Instructions per Cycle (IPC), respectively. Finally, we show that there are no critical constraints on the latency and pipelining capability of the polyjnul unit for the basic EC point multiplication.

A performance evaluation of ARM ISA extension for elliptic curve cryptography over binary finite fields

In this paper, we present an evaluation of possible ARM instruction set extension for elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) over binary finite fields GF(2/sup m/). The use of elliptic curve cryptography is becoming common in embedded domain, where its reduced key size at a security level equivalent to standard public-key methods (such as RSA) allows for power consumption savings and more efficient operation. ARM processor was selected because it is widely used for embedded system applications. We developed an ECC benchmark set with three widely used public-key algorithms: Diffie-Hellman for key exchange, digital signature algorithm, as well as El-Gamal method for encryption/decryption. We analyzed the major bottlenecks at function level and evaluated the performance improvement, when we introduce some simple architectural support in the ARM ISA. Results of our experiments show that the use of a word-level multiplication instruction over binary field allows for an average 33% reduction of the total number of dynamically executed instructions, while execution time improves by the same amount when projective coordinates are used.

Web-based training on computer architecture: the case for JCachesim

This paper describes possible advantages of adding an interactive tool with log capabilities, in an online learning environment. We describe the interactive, Java-based tool named JCachesim, which is used for experimenting cache behavior with simple assembly programs while varying cache features. The tool has embedded features that allow the teacher to monitor the progress of each individual student.

Smart Grid and nanotechnologies: a solution for clean and sustainable energy

Environmental sustainability remains a big trend; topics such as climate change and global warming are generating a lot of discussion. Growing world energy demand from fossil fuels plays a key role in the upward trend in CO 2 emissions and is the main source of human- induced climate changes. While energy systems around the world remain at vastly different stages of development, all countries share a common problem: they are far away from achieving sustainable energy systems. As levels of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases continue to rise in the atmosphere, with historical maximums reached lately, sustainability in energy generation and energy efficiency principles is becoming ever more important. In this paper, we describe the effects that development of new technologies, such as Smart Grid and nanotechnology will likely have on reducing carbon emissions. We discuss the main requirements and features of Smart Grids to integrate energy efficiency, the enabler technologies, and expected benefits they will bring. As findings in this review paper document, recent progress suggests that Smart Grid can become an integral part of future clean energy solutions, while nanotechnology will likely become indispensable for the Smart Grid to fully evolve in the near future.

Integration of simulators in virtual 3D computer science classroom

In this paper we describe a virtual 3D lab created using Open Wonderland to enable simultaneous execution of different computer science simulator modules in a collaborative, immersive workspace. Simulators were divided into functional modules that can be reused and combined for different teaching topics based on statistics of their usage. We discuss some important issues in our platform setup, describe our learning environment and logging module we developed in order to track system usage. Preliminary usability testing confirms the efficiency of this approach.