Date of Award
Spring 2008
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Mathematics, Engineering & Computer Science
First Advisor
Anthony Szpilka
Second Advisor
Philip Rose
Third Advisor
Mary Keefe
Abstract
Modem cryptology has allowed business to expand at an incredible rate by allowing people to transact business securely online. A common encryption process for encoding and decoding information utilizes a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) to generate a quasi-random string ofbinary digits. This “key stream” is then combined with the digits of the original or “plain text” using the exclusive-or logical operation, to create the encrypted or “cipher text.” Using modem circuit components, a circuit to implement this type of encryption was constructed and evaluated. The circuit’s operation was then simulated by the specialized computer program Cryptographic Analysis Program (CAP). Using CAP allowed for multiple methods of generating quasi-random bit strings: both the LFSR and the method of cellular automata were examined here. After these two key stream generators were analyzed, some observations were made concerning the general security of each.
Recommended Citation
Lavallee, Peter II, "Using Circuitry and Computer Analysis for Modern Cryptology" (2008). Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Theses. 57.
https://scholars.carroll.edu/mathengcompsci_theses/57
Included in
Electrical and Electronics Commons, Signal Processing Commons, Systems and Communications Commons