RSA-1024 Cryptography on Artix-7 FPGA: Medical Imaging Application

Abstract

In the domain of medical imaging, ensuring the security of confidential patient data stands as a paramount concern. The imperative for robust encryption to safeguard medical images against unauthorized access has driven the widespread adoption of the RSA algorithm, celebrated for its efficacy in data security assurance. This study specifically centers on the deployment of RSA-1024 cryptography on an Artix-7 FPGA, targeting applications in medical imaging. Acknowledging the demand for heightened security and accelerated processing, we have engineered RSA crypto-accelerators as hardware implementations of the RSA algorithm. We present a comprehensive methodology for implementing the 1024-bit RSA encryption/decryption algorithm, leveraging the square and multiply technique for modular exponentiation. Our algorithms are meticulously instantiated through VHDL code, tailored for execution on the Artix-7 xc7a35tcsg324-1 FPGA manufactured by Xilinx. Rigorous testing using the Vivado 2022.2 tool validates the functionality and dependability of our design. This research underscores the pivotal role of advanced cryptographic methodologies in safeguarding medical images and underscores the strides made in FPGA-based security solutions.