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SNOW 3G Encryption Core


General Description

The SNOW3G1 core implements SNOW 3G stream cipher in compliance with the ETSI SAGE specification version 1.1. It produces the keystream that consists of 32-bit blocks using 128-bit key and IV.
Basic core is very small (7,500 gates). Enhanced versions are available that support UEA2 and UIA2 confidentiality an integrity algorithms.
The design is fully synchronous and available in both source and netlist form. Test bench includes the ETSI/SAGE SNOW 3G test vectors.
SNOW3G1 core is supplied as portable Verilog (VHDL version available) thus allowing customers to carry out an internal code review to ensure its security.
 

Key Features

Keystream generation using the SNOW 3G Algorithm
High throughput: up to 7.5 Gbps in 65 nm process
Small size: from 7.5K ASIC gates
Satisfies ETSI SAGE SNOW 3G specification
Outputs keystream in 32-bit data blocks
Use 128-bit key and IV
Completely self-contained: does not require external memory
Available as fully functional and synthesizable Verilog, or as a netlist for popular programmable devices and ASIC libraries
Deliverables include test benches

Symbol
Applications
Secure mobile communications
3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) algorithms UEA2 and UIA2
ISO standard IS 18033-4


 
Pin Description

  CLK   Input   Core clock signal
  START   Input   Core reset signal
  CEN   Input   Synchronous enable signal. When LOW the core ignores all
  its inputs and all its outputs must be ignored.
  START   Input   When goes HIGH, a cryptographic operation is started
  READY   Output   Output data ready and valid
  KEY[127:0]   Input   Encryption Key
  IV[127:0]   Input   Input Plain or Cipher Text Data
  Q[]   Output   Output Cipher or Plain Text Data (bit width depends on
   the configuration)
 
Function Description

A SNOW 3G operation produces a keystream in 32-bit data blocks as defined by ETSI/SAGE “Specification of the 3GPP Confidentiality and Integrity Algorithms UEA2 & UIA2. Document 2: SNOW 3G Specification” Version: 1.1.

 
Operation

A rising input on the START port triggers the beginning of a cryptographic operation, using the KEY and IV inputs to initialize the keystream. The core then starts to output the keystream per SNOW 3G algorithm..

When all the rounds are completed, the READY signal is raised and the next unit of keystream is available on the output Q.

The core continues to produce the keystream as long as START is kept high. To throttle the output, at any time the CEN input can be brought low to pause the core.

A cryptographic operation can be aborted at any time by lowering the START signal for at least one clock cycle.

 
Implementation Details


Representative synthesis results for the SNOW3G1-8  are shown below.

  TSMC 65 nm G+ 302 MHz 7,475 gates 2.4 Gbps
  TSMC 65 nm G+ 943 MHz 8,964 gates 7.5 Gbps
 
 
Export Permits
See the IP Cores, Inc. licensing basics page, http://ipcores.com/export_licensing.htm, for links to US government sites and more details.
 
Deliverables

HDL Source Licenses

Synthesizable Verilog RTL source code
Testbench (self-checking)
Test vectors
Expected results
User Documentation

Netlist Licenses

Post-synthesis EDIF
Testbench (self-checking)
Test vectors
Expected results