Reversible cellular automata encryption algorithm implemented on FPGA

This paper presents an encryption algorithm based on a class of bio-inspired systems, namely cellular automata (CA). The proposed solution uses a combination of elementary evolution rules, specifically constructed to create a reversible system. Based on this propriety, encryption is performed by forward iteration of the system and the opposite process of decryption is done by backward iteration. The functionality of the system is achieved by using the same rule in both processes starting either from plaintext or from ciphertext along with some random initial data. To asses and test the system, a hardware implementation was performed based on reconfigurable devices. The main component of the system is the processing unit, implemented using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) which receives and sends back data to a software application developed using C# language.