Nonlinear Multi-Image Encryption Scheme with the Reality-Preserving Discrete Fractional Angular Transform and DNA Sequences

Abstract

A nonlinear multi-image encryption scheme is proposed by combining the reality-preserving discrete fractional angular transform with the deoxyribonucleic acid sequence operations. Four approximation coefficients of the four images are extracted by performing the two-dimensional lifting wavelet transform. Then, the four approximation coefficients are synthesized to generate a real-valued output with the reality-preserving discrete fractional angular transform. Finally, based on the deoxyribonucleic acid operation and the Logistic-sine system, the real-valued intermedium output will be encrypted to yield the final ciphertext image. To enhance the security of the image encryption algorithm, the initial value of the chaotic system is calculated by the 256-bit binary sequence, which is obtained by taking the statistics information of the plaintext images as the input of SHA-256. Deoxyribonucleic acid sequence operations, as nonlinear processes, could help to improve the robustness of the cryptosystem. Simulation results and security analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the image encryption algorithm and the capability of withstanding various common attacks.