Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 10

I'm working on an application of CAs in cryptography (but not the '86 Wolfram's one). The symmetric version is working, and the asymmetric one is on its way (working on paper, at least..)
I was wondering if a hardware device is already existing to do CA computations. I read something about an old IBM card called CAM-6, but it seems to be too old.
Does anybody know devices of this kind ?

Thank you.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Posts: 172

What are those things called?? uhm...oh yes: reconfigurable chips

Reconfigurable computing... that is the search you are looking for. The chips are a bit pricey but you could easily use it for CA fun.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 10

Thank you for enlighting my way.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Posts: 172

I have "inherited" an FPGA on a PCI board. I thought about configuring this chip as a CA. Has anyone done this? It might be fun.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 10

Yeah it could be fun. Anyway, as I'm a total newbie in FPGA, does anybody know an already done FPGA implementation of CA ?

Thanks.

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Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 2

well, iam working on the same topic too (as a graduation project), but on a stream cipher (wolfram's).

FPGA is a good solution, but as mentioned it is pricey and will take so much time to get a final product (FPGA running).
As you will need to write the VHDL code,Simulate your circuit, Synthesis your design and configuring your FPGA.

Another point, designing a CA machine will be easy (you can write VHDL code as if you were writing a High Level language), but it will take very small space in the FPGA, so there will be 1000s of unused gates.

but what about another solution?
As my project concerned mainly with a hardware design, iam planning to use a Microcontroller instead of an FPGA.It is cheaper and easier in implemenation.FPGA is faster, but if there is no timing constraints on your design, a microcontroller is much better solution.

i was planning to make a CA machine on an FPGA (just for simulation), but right now iam stuck in exams :(

regards
mohab

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Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 10

Yeah, FPGA seems to require a lot of pain to get something functionnal.
I'm checking 3d card GPU too... There is a paper about this.
A rapid search on google will do the trick.
Regards.

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Registered: Nov 2004
Posts: 5

I did an CA-based encryption for an undergrad project as well, and we implemented it on an Altera FPGA. I still have the files and I can give pointers as need be. However we did not actually download it or implement it to be synced with a source. We just used the built in simulator and gave it test wave forms (plaintext) to demonstrate that it properly encrypted it.

We also did a small-scale (4-bit) VHDL layout as proof on concept. Once again, we simulated it only.

I'll attach a couple graphics so you get an idea of what you'd be in for.

Attachment: ca.zip
This has been downloaded 1562 time(s).

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Registered: Dec 2005
Posts: 10

Wow :)
Thanks for sharing this.
By now, I'm investaging both GPU and FPGA ways... we'll see. I should ask my teachers about this.

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