Standardized signature algorithms on ultra-constrained 4-bit MCU

• Main Authors: Chen, Chien-Ning, Jacob, Nisha, Kutzner, Sebastian, Ling, San, Poschmann, Axel, Saetang, Sirote
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Mathematics::Discrete mathematics::Algorithms
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/99792; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/17585
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this work, we implement all three digital signature schemes specified in Digital Signature Standard (FIPS 186-3), including DSA and RSA (based on modular exponentiation) as well as ECDSA (based on elliptic curve point multiplication), on an ultra-constrained 4-bit MCU of the EPSON S1C63 family. Myriads of 4-bit MCUs are widely deployed in legacy devices, and some in security applications due to their ultra low-power consumption. However, public-key cryptography, especially digital signature, on 4-bit MCU is usually neglected and even regarded as infeasible. Our highly energy-efficient implementation can give rise to a variety of security functionalities for these ultra-constrained devices.