Design Strategies and Modified Descriptions to Optimize Cipher FPGA Implementations: Fast and Compact Results for DES and Triple-DES

In this paper, we propose a new mathematical DES description that allows us to achieve optimized implementations in term of ratio Throughput/Area. First, we get an unrolled DES implementation that works at data rates of 21.3 Gbps (333 MHz), using Virtex-II technology. In this design, the plaintext, the key and the mode (encryption/decrytion) can be changed on a cycle-by-cycle basis with no dead cycles. In addition, we also propose sequential DES and triple-DES designs that are currently the most efficient ones in term of resources used as well as in term of throughput. Based on our DES and triple-DES results, we also set up conclusions for optimized FPGA design choices and possible improvement of cipher implementations with a modified structure description.