SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 19, 2023 – QuickLogic Corporation (NASDAQ: QUIK), a prominent developer of embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, ruggedized FPGAs, and Endpoint AI/ML solutions, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Xiphera, a leading provider of hardware-based cryptographic security solutions, including cutting-edge Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This collaboration aims to implement Xiphera’s highly secure quantum-secure cryptographic IP cores, known as xQlave™, on QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture. The result is a significant stride towards safeguarding valuable assets against the imminent quantum threat, empowering architects to stay ahead in today’s evolving cyber landscape.
Implementing Advanced Post-Quantum Cryptography on eFPGA
As quantum computers progress at an unprecedented rate, the risks they pose to information and network security intensify. In response to this challenge, Xiphera introduces xQlave™, a remarkable family of PQC IP cores specially developed to withstand the quantum threat. The xQlave™ lineup comprises ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA (Dilithium) – primary PQC algorithms defined in the PQC standard draft by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These logic-only implementations offer robust quantum-secure key exchange, digital signature, and authentication capabilities.
The integration of xQlave™ into QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture capitalizes on two key advantages of eFPGA technology: distributed on-chip programmability and the ability to parallelize algorithmic computations. These features enable the eFPGA IP cores to offload resource-intensive cryptographic operations from traditional processor/software implementations, resulting in faster boot-up and key calculation times. Additionally, the secluded block RAMs provided by QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture enable secure storage of confidential information, only accessible to trusted components within the system. Moreover, the versatile nature of eFPGA technology allows for crypto agility, meaning that cryptographic algorithms and protocols can be updated post-deployment of an SoC/ASIC, ensuring long-term resilience against emerging quantum threats.
QuickLogic’s eFPGA IP is generated using the powerful Australis™ IP generator, known for its flexibility in supporting various foundries and process geometries. The Australis™ generator further offers the capability to create customized eFPGA IP, tailored to meet individual customers’ Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) requirements. When combined with Xiphera’s state-of-the-art xQlave™ PQC solutions and traditional cryptographic algorithms like ECC or RSA, a synergistic hybrid scheme is formed, delivering a future-proof and highly secure system for both new and existing eFPGA platforms.
Benefits of the Collaborative Solution:
Data Protection: By integrating xQlave™ ML-KEM (Kyber) into QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture, the overall security of product architecture is enhanced, ensuring comprehensive data protection against future quantum threats.
Enhanced Performance: QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture, in conjunction with hardware acceleration, greatly optimizes the performance of Xiphera’s xQlave™ family of IP cores, including ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA (Dilithium).
Secure Storage: QuickLogic’s eFPGA architecture provides isolated block RAMs, offering secure storage of sensitive data while preventing unauthorized access from other system components.
Future Compatibility: This collaborative implementation ensures easy scalability and compatibility with the final NIST PQC standards as they become available, allowing mission-critical systems to remain secure in the face of future quantum threats.
FAQ
Q: What is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)?
A: Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic techniques and algorithms designed specifically to provide security against attacks from quantum computers. These algorithms offer protection against the powerful computational capabilities of quantum computers, which pose a significant threat to traditional cryptographic systems.
Q: What is an eFPGA?
A: An embedded Field Programmable Gate Array (eFPGA) is a programmable integrated circuit that can be customized and reprogrammed after manufacturing. It offers the flexibility of custom hardware acceleration and provides on-chip programmability, making it ideal for implementing advanced cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
Q: What is Crypto Agility?
A: Crypto agility refers to the ability of a system or platform to update or switch cryptographic algorithms and protocols seamlessly. This feature allows organizations to adapt and respond to evolving security threats and standards while providing consistent protection for sensitive data.
Q: What are IP cores?
A: Intellectual Property (IP) cores are pre-designed blocks of reusable digital circuitry. They serve as building blocks for creating complex integrated circuits, enabling rapid development and implementation of advanced features and functionalities.
Q: What is Quantum Computing?
A: Quantum computing is an emerging field of computer science that utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex computations. Quantum computers have immense computational power, which can potentially break conventional cryptographic systems, necessitating the development of new post-quantum cryptographic techniques.
(source: quicklogic.com, xiphera.com)
In conclusion, the collaboration between QuickLogic and Xiphera represents a significant leap forward in the realm of post-quantum cryptography. By combining the strengths of QuickLogic’s eFPGA technology and Xiphera’s cutting-edge xQlave™ quantum-secure cryptographic IP cores, this partnership offers unparalleled data security, enhanced performance, and future compatibility. With this innovative solution, organizations can protect their valuable assets against quantum threats and stay at the forefront of cybersecurity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.