Detailed Solution for A5/1 Cipher Problem
Problem Statement
Using the initial values for the A5/1 registers (X, Y, Z):
- X = 1011010011010100101
- Y = 1101001011001010111010
- Z = 10111011010110101011010
Calculate the first keystream bit and encrypt the ASCII character 'A' (65 in binary:
1000001).
Introduction to A5/1 Cipher
The A5/1 cipher is a stream cipher used in GSM communication. It relies on three linear
feedback shift registers (LFSRs):
1. X (19 bits)
2. Y (22 bits)
3. Z (23 bits)
Each register shifts conditionally based on the majority vote of their respective control bits.
Initialization of Registers
The registers X, Y, and Z are initialized using the following steps:
1. Start with all registers set to zero.
2. Load the 64-bit secret key (K) into the registers.
3. XOR the 22-bit frame counter (F) into the registers.
4. Clock the registers 100 times to mix their state thoroughly.
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Compute the Majority Bit
The majority bit (m) is calculated using the control bits:
- X8: The 9th bit of register X
- Y10: The 11th bit of register Y
- Z10: The 11th bit of register Z
The majority function is defined as:
m = maj(X8, Y10, Z10)
It outputs 1 if two or more control bits are 1, otherwise 0.
Step 2: Step the Registers
Each register steps conditionally based on the majority bit (m):
- If X8 = m, register X steps. The feedback bit is calculated as:
t = X13 ⊕ X16 ⊕ X17 ⊕ X18
The register is shifted, and X0 is set to t.
- If Y10 = m, register Y steps. The feedback bit is calculated as:
t = Y20 ⊕ Y21
The register is shifted, and Y0 is set to t.
- If Z10 = m, register Z steps. The feedback bit is calculated as:
t = Z7 ⊕ Z20 ⊕ Z21 ⊕ Z22
The register is shifted, and Z0 is set to t.
Step 3: Generate the Keystream Bit
After stepping the registers, the keystream bit (s) is computed as:
s = X18 ⊕ Y21 ⊕ Z22
This bit is used to encrypt the plaintext.
Step 4: Encrypt the ASCII Character
To encrypt the ASCII character 'A' (65 in decimal or 1000001 in binary):
- XOR the binary plaintext with the keystream bit(s).
Ciphertext = Plaintext ⊕ Keystream
Example Calculation
Given:
- X = 1011010011010100101
- Y = 1101001011001010111010
- Z = 10111011010110101011010
Z=10111011010110101011010
Step-by-step calculation:
Step-by-step calculation:
1. Compute the Majority Bit
- Control bits:
X8 = 1, Y10 = 0, Z10 = 0
- Majority bit:
m = maj(1, 0, 0) = 0
2. Step the Registers
- Since m = 0:
- Do not step X (X8 ≠ m).
- Step Y: t = Y20 ⊕ Y21 = 1 ⊕ 0 = 1
Shift Y → 101001011001010111010
- Step Z: t = Z7 ⊕ Z20 ⊕ Z21 ⊕ Z22 = 1 ⊕ 1 ⊕ 0 ⊕ 1 = 1
Shift Z → 01110110101101010110100
3. Generate the Keystream Bit
- Extract the rightmost bits:
X18 = 1, Y21 = 0, Z22 = 0
- Compute the keystream bit:
s = X18 ⊕ Y21 ⊕ Z22 = 1 ⊕ 0 ⊕ 0 = 1
4. Encrypt the ASCII Character
- Plaintext (binary): 1000001
- Keystream: 0000001
- Ciphertext (binary): 1000001 ⊕ 0000001 = 1000000
- Ciphertext (decimal): 64
Final Answer
1. First keystream bit: s = 1
2. Encrypted ASCII character 'A': 64 (binary: 1000000)
