Symmetry-Enabled Resource-Efficient Systolic Array Design for Montgomery Multiplication in Resource-Constrained MIoT Endpoints

Abstract

In today’s TEST interconnected world, the security of 5G Medical IoT networks is of paramount concern. The increasing number of connected devices and the transmission of vast amounts of data necessitate robust measures to protect information integrity and confidentiality. However, securing Medical IoT edge nodes poses unique challenges due to their limited resources, making the implementation of cryptographic protocols a complex task. Within these protocols, modular multiplication assumes a crucial role. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to its implementation. This study focuses on developing a resource-efficient hardware implementation of the Montgomery modular multiplication algorithm over GF(2l), which is a critical operation in cryptographic algorithms. The proposed solution introduces a bit-serial systolic array layout with a modular structure and local connectivity between processing elements. This design, inspired by the principles of symmetry, allows for efficient utilization of resources and optimization of area and delay management. This makes it well-suited for deployment in compact Medical IoT edge nodes with limited resources. The suggested bit-serial processor structure was evaluated through ASIC implementation, which demonstrated substantial improvements over competing designs. The results showcase an average area reduction of 24.5% and significant savings in the area–time product of 26.2%.