A Comparative Analysis of Lightweight Hash Functions Using AVR ATXMega128 and ChipWhisperer

TL;DR

This paper compares 22 lightweight hash functions on embedded hardware using a novel benchmarking approach, evaluating speed, memory, and energy to guide system developers in selecting optimal algorithms.

Contribution

It introduces a new benchmark methodology combining AVR ATXMega128 and ChipWhisperer to evaluate lightweight hash functions across multiple performance metrics.

Findings

Identifies trade-offs between speed, memory, and energy consumption.

Provides a ranking of hash functions based on the composite E-RANK metric.

Highlights the performance of SHA-3 finalist among lightweight options.

Abstract

Lightweight hash functions have become important building blocks for security in embedded and IoT systems. A plethora of algorithms have been proposed and standardized, providing a wide range of performance trade-off options for developers to choose from. This paper presents a comparative analysis of 22 key software-based lightweight hash functions, including the finalist from the SHA-3 competition. We use a novel benchmark methodology that combines an AVR ATXMega128 microcontroller with the ChipWhisperer cryptanalysis platform and evaluate and compare the various hash functions along several dimensions, including execution speed, % measured in Cycles per Byte (CpB), memory footprint, and energy consumption. Using the composite E-RANK metric, we provide new insight into the various trade-offs each hash function offers to system developers.