NIST has released the world’s first three standards for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms, marking the beginning of the post-quantum era. With classical algorithms like RSA and ECC being announced for termination in the 2030s, the world is transitioning to new PQC standards.

For the first time, PQC is not just a research topic but a real requirement that companies and individuals around the globe need to comply with. Among all the solutions to meet the demand for PQC, the development of ASICs and their silicon IPs is most crucial. This process takes time to develop, verify, and deploy. Furthermore, with semiconductors being so pervasive, replacing them in the field requires significant effort.

Qinvicta Leads in PQC Silicon IP Development

Long before NIST announced the PQC standards, Qinvicta closely followed the selection process and began developing PQC silicon IPs in early 2024. Today, Qinvicta is excited to announce the successful tapeout and measurement of our first fully functional PQC silicon chip.

The chip was taped out using 40 nm technology provided by TSMC. With a maximum design frequency of 220 MHz, the chip reached 250 MHz during measurement. We carefully designed a polynomial arithmetic unit to support both FIPS203 and FIPS204 algorithms. By sharing a common unit for both algorithms, we optimized the silicon chip’s area, reducing the total size to under 1mm x 1mm.

Additionally, the chip’s control interface allows us to reprogram its commands, enabling it to execute any sequence of instructions. This feature allows deep testing of performance, power consumption, and resistance to Side-Channel Attacks, as well as evaluating countermeasures.

Real-Life Demonstration and Future Optimization

With the success of measuring our own ASIC, we have demonstrated PQC key exchange and digital signatures running in real-life scenarios. This achievement opens the door for further optimization and customization to enhance the performance and security of PQC algorithm implementations.

As NIST announces IR8547, marking the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography standards, the demand for PQC-compliant services is rapidly increasing. At Qinvicta, we are ready to meet this demand.

Review our products and contact us at info@qinvicta.com if you have silicon needs for PQC.