On the Diffusion of Lightweight Image Encryption in Embedded Hardware

Abstract

Image has become an indispensible part of data communication through embedded devices. LightWeight Stream Encryption (LWSE) algorithm for images had been already proposed and evaluated with Matlab code on a desktop system. This paper evaluates the real-time lightweight property of an existing LWSE algorithm in terms of its memory footprint and execution time on a resource constrained low power embedded device containing ARM7 core. A modification on LWSE algorithm is also proposed through the insertion of a shuffling process on plain image prior to the encryption. Various analysis and tests have been performed to validate the results of original and modified LWSE algorithm in the aspect of security. The study on lightweight parameters such as code size, and execution time of the embedded hardware while running the original and modified versions of LWSE algorithm shows its aptness for realtime applications.