Authentication for low power systems

In this paper, we present a new method for authenticating messages. The method is suitable in situations where severe power or computational constraints prevent the use of conventional authentication algorithms. It is based on a computationally simple message authentication code (MAC) and the generation of a chain of keys that have a limited lifetime. Since the generation of keys is computationally intensive in comparison to the MAC, many messages may be authenticated during the lifespan of a single key. This minimizes power and memory usage without compromising the security of the key chain. Applicable scenarios for this fast, low power authentication are also described.