A Run Time Reconfigurable Co-processor for Elliptic Curve Scalar Multiplication

Abstract

This paper reports a run-time reconfigurable co-processor for scalar multiplication in elliptic curve cryptography. By reconfiguration, the co-processor can support various finite field orders and hence, different security levels. This is a contribution to solve the current interoperability problems in elliptic curve cryptography. We report the co-processor hardware organization and the cost in terms of area and speed of the reconfigurable solution compared to a static implementation.