Networked, Low SWAP Public Key Cryptosystem

Under this multi-phase SBIR program, TrellisWare is developing a low size, weight, and power (SWAP) public key (PK) cryptosystem that combines any off-the-shelf PK algorithm with an innovative key generation protocol that allows multicast groups to securely generate common public/private key pairs via messaging over a non-secure wireless channel. The resulting cryptosystem will provide the benefits of public key cryptography i.e., dynamic network support with features currently found only in symmetric systems i.e., energy efficiency and native multicast support. During Phase I, TrellisWare developed a series of group key generation protocols, the most sophisticated of which operates in a fully ad hoc manner and requires only O(log t) transmissions to generate an encrypt/decrypt key pair for a t-node multicast group at steady state. For Phase II, we propose a Base program that combines basic research with protocol development, integration, and demonstration. During the Phase II Option, we will first integrate an off-the-shelf, low SWAP encrypt/decrypt module with our tactical MANET products; a series of operationally relevant test exercises will then be performed to demonstrate our low SWAP cryptosystem in hardware.