A plain-text independent color image encryption system with multi-thread permutation and multi-channel diffusion

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel multi-threaded parallel permutation and channel-combined diffusion for image encryption which is independent of plain text. In our proposed method, the coupled map lattice is used to generate the key sequences for multi-thread permutation and diffusion. Then intra- and inter-thread permutations are achieved using multi-threading in combination with the tent mapping. For the subsequent diffusion, this paper introduces a method based on channel-combined diffusing which simultaneously diffuses three channels. Experimental results indicate a high encryption performance with the capability of effectively resisting the known plain text and differential attacks. Our proposed method also has a lower computational complexity which enables its applicability in practical scenarios.