A novel VLSI architecture for a variable-length key, 64-bit Blowfish block cipher

A novel one-round VLSI architecture of the block cipher, Blowfish, for data encryption/decryption has been presented. Based on a pipelined structure, efficient key management, and the mapping of the algorithm onto the data path the performance of the architecture can be increased. In addition, all important standardised modes of operation of block ciphers, such as ECB, CBC, and OFB, are also supported. Due to the properties of low cost, high throughput rate, and scalable encryption, the VLSI block cipher provides efficient solutions for data encryption such as wireless communication application.