A memory architecture using linear and nonlinear feedback shift registers for data security

In this paper, memory architecture for ensuring data security is proposed. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is assumed in the work to enter user ID and password for each user authentication. Valid user will be given access to the corresponding data whereas invalid user will be given access but will receive garbage data to prevent multiple trails to break in. The architecture using Galois type Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) as well as Nonlinear Feedback Shift Registers (NLFSRs) is implemented and verified for the functionality. The power consumption is estimated using 180nm Cadence RTL Compiler and the level of data security using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) test suite for random numbers and compared the results achieved through the two implementations. The power consumption is 2.291 mW for NLFSR type of implementation and is less than that of the LFSR type of implementation by 23.9%. It is observed that NLFSR type of implementation passes the four NIST tests and whereas the LFSR type of implementation fails in two out of the four NIST tests.